Biting truth: TN govt fails to handle rising dengue cases proactively
Chennai: The state government at a macro level and city corporation at the micro level could react to mosquito growth by fogging, deploying para medical teams and distributing ‘Nilavembu kudineer’ . But the question is why the government is not adopting a sustained proactive mode?
Deccan Chronicle spoke to members from civic body, experts in life sciences and the general public to ascertain the lapses. B.K. Tyagi, former Director of Indian Council of Medical Research, Madurai, says mosquito density test is one of the pro-active methods to tackle mosquitoes.
“In case of all mosquito borne infections, density of any vector population plays an important role; as higher the density of the vector, higher is the possibility of vector feeding on men. It enhances the capacity of transmission of infection.”
“In case of malaria, there would be at least six female mosquitoes to spread malaria. A mathematical model has proved that two dengue transmitting mosquitoes can spread the disease to 100 people,” he said. There is a necessity to reduce the growth below threshold level to reduce the transmission,” he added.
Sampling is done by counting the number of mosquitoes per men per hour using the battery operated suction tubes. Other methods include different types of traps.
Not just the residents, representatives of civic body also feel that enough measures are not being taken up to control mosquito growth. Suresh Kumar, DMK Councillor, Chitlapakkam town panchayat
“Open drains are not yet cleared in suburbs. Fogging and spraying insecticides should be done for at least three days in a week. I don’t see any one of the measures being carried out in Tambaram and Chitlapakkam.”
Officials from Health department of Greater Chennai Corporation said they had sent all necessary medical equipment to government hospitals. “Open water sources are being cleared and ‘Nilavembu kudineer’ is distributed to all schools. All efforts necessary to prevent mosquito-borne diseases are being done in a rapid manner,” the official said.
According to residents, vector control programme is just a hapless effort executed with inefficiency and insensitivity. “It is like a Kamadhenu - which yields money in the form of commissions,” said Andal Ramachandran, a civic activist.
“Inspite of awareness in the form of television advertisements and campaigns, people are least bothered about keeping their environs clean. The drive should begin with the general public, said Andal Ramachandran.
