Sanitation and vector-control activities have been accelerated in Peravur grama panchayat in view of a spurt in dengue fever cases at Kottiyoor and nearby areas over the past week.
Health Department officials said 49 cases of dengue, including a death, were reported in parts of the panchayat, especially wards 8, 9 and 10.
Anti-dengue activities, including fogging, spraying, and source-reduction activities to control mosquito breeding, had been stepped under the aegis of the District Vector Control Unit in all the wards of the panchayat.
An emergency inter-sectoral meeting was held on May 15 for launching urgent cleaning up operation in the panchayat to check the spread of dengue fever.
Deputy District Medical Officer M.K. Shaj said medical camps were being conducted daily in all the wards from May 14. Health Department personnel in association with local panchayat, Aarogya Sena, and Kudumbasree members were visiting households for mosquito-reduction activities, he said.
He said the district-level National Dengue Day programme on Wednesday was held at Kottiyoor to step up the public awareness drive against dengue fever.
The health officials said dengue was first reported among workers involved in picking cashew in areas close to the forest. The disease subsequently spread in other parts, they said adding that the density of mosquito was high at Kottiyur and nearby areas because of cashew and rubber plantations.
Warning issued
The Health Department issued a warning in view of the dengue outbreak, urging the public to take source-reduction measures to contain the spread of dengue fever transmitted by aedes mosquito. The measures included prevention of water accumulation in potholes and abandoned objects such as bottles and regular cleaning and sanitation activities.
