LUDHIANA: Deputy commissioner
Sakshi Sawhney
on Monday stated that administration and health teams are dedicating every effort to combat the spread of dengue and other
vector borne diseases
in the district.
Chairing a meeting with the various departments, Sawhney disclosed that as per health authorities, Ludhiana has reported 32 dengue cases reported so far but all teams are already working to control the spread of dengue.
She asked officials to leave no stone unturned to intensify steps against dengue vis-a-vis making people aware across the district. She mentioned that
mass awareness drive
has already been launched in areas identified as hotspots.
The deputy commissioner also appealed the people to take all preventive measures against dengue. She told that people are being sensitized to clear out stagnant water in premises of residential, streets and public places. She stressed that people must be educated about all breeding grounds of mosquitoes so that further outbreak of dengue could be controlled efficaciously. She said that aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in clear water and flower pots, refrigerator, coolers, tyres and bird feeders and other utensils are normal places besides stagnant water where breeding is found. She further revealed that as part of the drive, the MC along with health, Education, youth welfare and other departments have formed joint teams to visit door to door for sensitizing the people about breeding grounds in the hot spots. The teams have been carrying awareness rallies in the major affected areas.
Further in the rural areas, the teams of Panchayat, health department, Executive Officers (EOs), BDPOs were carrying out awareness campaigns in all villages so as to sensitize rural folk against the ill-effects of this disease, she added.
The DC also spoke about district administration's "special drive" to keep spread of dengue disease under check by adopting
multi-pronged strategy
ranging from enforcement drive to awareness campaign in dengue hotspots adding that a list of dengue affected areas has also been circulated among the stakeholders for effective implementation of the government's guidelines. "Regular fogging and spraying is also being ensured by the health and civic bodies departments in affected areas besides issuing challans to those where dengue larvae were detected by checking teams" said an official statement.
The DC also mentioned that to check the breeding of mosquitoes in villages, the health department will release Gambusia fish in village ponds of the district. "The government departments have been asked to observe Friday as dry-day by checking all utensils and other water containers in their offices".