The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken up a monthlong programme to tackle the outbreak of vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and chikungunya.
BBMP sources said that Commissioner Bharat Lal Meena came down heavily on officials of the Health Department for not taking steps to effectively control the spread of dengue and chikungunya. In a meeting with the officials on Wednesday, he reportedly directed them to take up various programmes to create awareness among people, especially those living in slum areas, about the spread of the diseases.
Prone areas
With the fluctuating weather conditions and onset of monsoon, the number of patients with vector-borne diseases, especially dengue, has seen an increase.
From January to May, 60 positive cases of dengue and 23 of chikungunya have been reported across the city. While most cases are from low-lying areas of Ashoknagar, Jaibheemnagar, Ejipura, Viveknagar, Neelasandra, Hoskerehalli, Ittamadu, Mahadevapura, Byatarayanapura and surrounding areas, some have also been reported from Nelamangala and neighbouring villages of Bangalore Urban district, health officials said.
Measures
A senior official from the department told The Hindu , on condition of anonymity, that the officials had been directed to take precautionary measures to control the outbreak in the coming monsoon months by preparing an action plan.
Officials have been directed to de-silt the storm-water drains, de-weed tanks and lakes, identify larvae-breeding spots, and create awareness among the citizens.
Mosquito control programmes, including fogging and spraying, would be rejuvenated. “We have around 100 mosquito control gangmen. We will also procure mosquito sprayers, hand and motor pumps and auto-mounted sprayers. A proposal in this regard has been sent to the Commissioner for his approval,” the official stated.
The official added that the number of link workers for the door-to-door campaigns would be increased.
“We may rope in staff from the medical colleges and referral hospitals for this,” he said.
Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito that breeds in fresh water and bites during daytime.
