Tiruchi Corporation on Thursday launched a special drive to check the spread of dengue and mosquito breeding in the city. Collector S. Sivarasu inaugurated the drive in the presence of Corporation Commissioner N. Ravichandran at the Uzhavar Sandhai grounds at Anna Nagar in the city.
The Corporation would deploy about 600 workers in the exercise to destroy mosquito breeding sources across the city.
School students, through the Public Health Department, will be given identity cards recognising them as cleanliness ambassadors. These students will spearhead drives in their respective schools and neighbourhoods, said Mr. Sivarasu. “Sanitation officers involved in the dengue prevention programme will undertake door-to-door inspections,” he said.
Mr. Sivarasu urged the public to check for coconut shells, broken pitchers, plastic cups at home or in their surroundings. “These should be disposed of immediately. Mosquitoes, especially dengue-carrying aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in clean water. Buckets holding water, cement pots, and drums used to store water must be kept closed at all times. Rinse and clean water containers weekly,” he said.
The inspections began in wards 40, 50, 51 and 56 of the city and will continue in other areas, Mr. Sivarasu said, adding that such efforts undertaken over the last three years have kept in check the outbreak of dengue in the city.
A. Subramani, Deputy Directory of Health Services, A. Jagannathan, City Health Officer and S. Amuthavalli, City Engineer took part in the inspection.
