Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep has asked the officials of the health and education departments to spread awareness on contagious diseases, including dengue, among children.
Chairing a review meeting related to various contagious diseases at his office here on Monday, Mr. Randeep said that with the monsoon approaching it was possible that contagious diseases may spread in the district. Therefore, awareness programmes should be conducted across the district to prevent the spread of such diseases, he said.
Mr. Randeep asked the officials of the Education Department to spread awareness by taking up a door-to-door campaign on prevention of malaria and dengue.
“The officials of the Education Department should organise awareness jathas in schools after they reopen in June. The programmes should be effective and should not be held for merely completing the formalities. Do not take the programmes lighter as contagious diseases could prove critical for the district,” he warned.
Stating that a few cases of dengue had been reported in the city too, he said cleanliness should be maintained on priority in the city.
He directed the authorities concerned to conduct programmes to advise people on cleaning containers and vessels that are used to store water.
“Do not let the people keep stagnant water in barrels, old tyres, flower pots, and broken pots for long as they could turn into breeding ground for mosquitoes,” he said.
He asked people to observe a “dry day” once a week to clean the containers before refilling them.
Mr. Randeep directed the officials of the City Corporation to start fogging and cleaning all clogged drains.
District Malaria Officer Sampat Gunari informed the meeting that last year, the district registered 77 cases of dengue and by the end of April this year, 28 cases have already been registered. However, no dengue-related casualty has been reported from anywhere in the district, he added.
Earlier in the day, an awareness jatha was held for educating people about cleanliness.
