Public cooperation must to prevent dengue: Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh today visited Faridpur and Mirzapur villages in the district as part of the weekly “Dengue Te Waar” campaign.

Accompanied by a team of the Health Department, he inspected households for mosquito larvae. He also visited government and private nursing schools/colleges, checked dengue hotspots and ensured the destruction of larvae on the spot.

The minister expressed happiness that no larvae were found in any household in Faridpur village. However, larvae were found in birdbaths, tyres, coolers and refrigerator trays at Mirzapur, which were immediately destroyed.

The minister said also informed people about measures for prevention of dengue and malaria and their symptoms. He urged people to not let water accumulate in old utensils or junk items in their homes or yards to prevent breeding of mosquitoes. He emphasised that community cooperation was essential for dengue prevention. The minister also reviewed the drainage system in Mirzapur and Kalwa villages.

District Epidemiologist Sumit Singh stated that in the past week, 41,376 houses were inspected, and larvae were found in 416 houses. Health teams destroyed the larvae on the spot. He said today, 53 police stations and 103 vacant plots were inspected. In total, 187 health teams conducted inspections across the district today.

He said members of the health and sanitation committees of Faridpur and Mirzapur were instructed to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in the villages and to immediately contact the BDPO concerned if any dengue case was reported.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (J) Isha Singal, Civil Surgeon Jagpalinder Singh, SMO Nagra, ASHA workers and nursing students were present on the occasion.

Chandigarh