Intensify drive to curb spread of vector-borne diseases: Yogi

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday directed the state health department to intensify the drive launched to control the spread of vectorborne diseases, including acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and Japanese Encephalitis (JE).

Expressing satisfaction over the work done to control vectorborne diseases in the state so far, Yogi said the state government was committed to checking the spread of infectious diseases as well as Covid pandemic.

The state government had prepared a work plan to provide quality health service to the people. With mass awareness and people’s participation, the challenges of public health could be accomplished with ease, the chief minister said in a press statement.

Meanwhile, a state government spokesperson said like last year, the state government had effectively controlled the outbreak of the vector-borne diseases this year too.

In comparison to August last year, there had been 48% decline in the cases of vector borne disease and 35% fall in deaths due to such diseases this year, the spokesperson added.

There was 38% decline in JE cases, 31% in malaria cases, 23% decline in dengue and 74% decline in Kala-azar cases this year.

The special control programme and ‘Dastak’ campaign had helped check the vectorborne diseases in the state, the spokesperson said.

The intensive JE special immunisation drive had also protected the lives of vulnerable population, he added.

Under the infectious disease control drive, hand pumps were installed in all village panchayats to supply pure potable water to the people. The ASHA workers surveyed 20 lakh houses to raise awareness among the people to check the spread of Covid-19 and protect people from the disease, he said.