Thiruvananthapuram on dengue vigil

Thiruvananthapuram: With the spurt in dengue cases in Ernakulam district, particularly in Perumbavoor region, district health authorities have tightened their belts to deal with the situation.  Till a few years ago, Thiruvananthapuram had the dubious distinction of being the dengue capital of the state. However, sustained anti-dengue measures had brought down the incidence of dengue to significantly low levels.

The authorities have now undertaken a massive campaign to keep dengue under check. Two inter-sectoral meetings have taken place involving major departments including Kerala Water Authority, irrigation and public health, railways, KSRTC, local self government department, fisheries and agriculture.  The last meeting was held on May 11 during which the Kerala Water Authority officials were directed to clean up pumping stations, areas adjoining reservoirs and dams.

The health department teams along with corporation staff are visiting vulnerable areas for carrying out sector study, high vector index areas and follow it up with vector control and source reduction activities. The district administration on Monday convened a meeting of representatives of coastal areas which was attended by representatives of fishermen unions, members of local parish, office bearers of sports clubs and NGOs.  The meeting was convened in the wake of dengue cases reported in coastal belt last year during monsoon.

A committee has been constituted to supervise the anti dengue operations in the coastal areas. It was decided that with the help of local fishermen the water that gets collected in boats parked along coast, would be cleaned up on a regular basis to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.  The DMO convened a meeting of resident associations on Tuesday to discuss the anti-dengue operations, dry day and cleaning activities.  Hundreds of vehicles parked, abandoned in police stations across the district are also major source of mosquito breeding during monsoon. 

The district administration has directed the police department to ensure that water does not get collected in such vehicles and these are cleaned up regularly. Similarly, extra precaution will be taken in the plantation areas falling within the district. The health officials plan carry out an extensive anti dengue programme throughout the district as part of the state level campaign from May 16 to May 20. On May 20, the health workers will carry out house visits, check the indoor and outdoor premises to remove potential source of mosquito breeding. The Disease Vector Control (DDC) Unit is monitoring the situation ona day to day basis and supplying information on the suspected cases, confirmed cases and deaths if any.