NCDC asks for mosquito control in Pallippuram area

Alappuzha: After the presence of dengue causative agents was found extensively at Pallipuram here, the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has demanded extensive vector control and awareness programmes.

NCDC regional director (Kozhikode) Dr R. Rajendran said the situation should be closely watched as the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes were traced extensively even in summer. "This could cause an outbreak of dengue when the monsoon arrives," he told DC, adding the NCDC would give a detailed report to DMO in a week.

"At present, the only precaution we could take is increasing vector control operations and awareness programmes."

The survey carried out in 500 houses last week had found the larvae from the puddles and water-filled abandoned buckets and contaminated water bodies at 31 houses. Dr Rajendran also said that a detailed study would be carried on available cases from the area.

With the summer rain across the district, the possibility of multiplying breeding sources is high. It could also be a reason for the multiplication. Former NCDC joint director Dr M.K. Showkath Ali said people have to change their attitude and to keep their surroundings clean.

"Government machinery is incapable of reaching door to door with vector control operations. As long as people choose to ignore, an epidemic of dengue cannot be ruled out," he said.

Pallippuram panchayat health standing committee chair P.G. Mohanan also said the vector control operations would be intensified in the area.

Dengue fever incidence touched an alarming level in the state for the last couple of years. Some 25,000 suspected cases of dengue and over 180 suspected dengue deaths were reported in 2013.

The figures provided by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) show the number of instances in 2014 dipped to 2548 and 13 of them died.