Anti-mosquito projects in limbo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the Zika virus threat looms over Thiruvananthapuram like a Damocles sword, the health department and corporation are yet to make a road map for anti-mosquito campaigns. Massive vector breeding is a common sight in city drains which have become stagnant due to lack of water flow. However, officialdom has not advanced their anti-mosquito fight anticipating elections. Now,dengue cases are expected to soar after the summer showers.

The recent festival season followed by the election declaration has affected inter-department coordination, says the health department. “Activities in and around 48 out of the 100 wards have to be managed by the City Corporation, the rest have to be managed by the health department. Last time, dengue was highest within areas covered by the Corporation, not in remote plantations around Nedumangaud and Vilappil. We hope to establish a coordination committee but unfortunately even the collector has not called for meetings,” said a senior health official.

As per the statistics, of the 988 dengue cases reported in the district, 301 were from just 48 Corporation wards. Meanwhile, the office of the District Medical Officer (DMO) has said that a special drive will be held between March 21 and 26.

“Apartment residents have been requested to allow the entry of Kudumbashree workers and Asha workers to ensure source destruction of mosquitoes. Arogya Sandesha March will also be held between March 28 and 31,” said
DMO K.  Venugopal in a statement.