Mosquito control drive launched to prevent spread of dengue in Tiruchi

Local authorities in Tiruchi have begun taking steps to prevent the spread of dengue with the delayed onset of rainy weather in the region.

The fever is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), which is transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes.

“We have held awareness meetings across all 14 blocks to ensure that water stagnation is avoided. Sanitation workers are carrying out dengue source reduction activities such as collecting old rubber tyres, empty containers, and any other object where water could stagnate, at regular intervals. Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBCs) have been inspecting 50 homes daily, and helping identify and eradicate mosquito breeding sources,” a senior District Health Department official told The Hindu on Thursday.

He added that 1,080 DBCs are engaged in the blocks and Corporation exclusively for dengue prevention.

Besides this, fogging machines to be part of the prevention steps. “There are 104 and 100 machines for pulse and hand fogging respectively. Besides this, there are 11 vehicle-mounted machines and 67 sprayer machines for this effort,” said the official.

All local bodies have been given adequate stock of bleaching powder and insecticides as part of the disease control measures.

Intermittent rainfall increases the risk of dengue infection as the stagnant water pools and humid weather can accelerate mosquito breeding.

“Since the weather is unpredictable this year and rains have been delayed, we are taking extra care to enforce surveillance and prevention of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria,” the official said.

Sources at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital said that fever cases were nominal in number so far, but arrangements were in place to deal with dengue if required.