South civic body launches action plan early to tackle mosquito-borne diseases
NEW DELHI: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), anticipating an early outbreak of vector-borne diseases this year, has launched its action plan for preventing the spread of dengue, chikungunya a month in advance.
On Wednesday, south corporation mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat shared details of the civic body’s plan that included adopting various new measures to combat cases of vector-borne diseases.
Arrangements made by the SDMC’s health department this year includes mass level indoor residual spraying to control breeding of mosquitoes for twothree months, early purchase of dengue detecting kits, obtaining by the month end report about serotypes of the dengue virus in circulation this year from All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) and deploying mobile medical vans in slums.
Till March 3, Delhi hospitals under South Delhi Municipal Corporation had reported 15 cases of dengue, five more than last year when the mosquitoborne disease infected 9,271 people and killed 10.
To deal with the situation, the municipal authorities had in February held a workshop on prevention and control of vectorborne diseases to finalise a comprehensive action plan .
DENGUE KITS
SDMC has already ordered 900 dengue detecting kits from the National Institute of Virology, Pune, 300 more than the total ordered last year by April end, said an official. “We are coordinating with agencies to ensure purchase of medicines and machinery,” said Sehrawat.
She said that with one kit 96 people can be tested for the symptoms of vector borne diseases.
“Other exercises include training of dengue breeding checkers (DBCs) and sharing the use of new equipment and machines,” said senior SDMC official.
INDOOR SPRAYING TO STOP BREEDING
The SDMC will arrange for fogging of alpha cypermethrine inside houses extensively. The spray can eliminate breeding of mosquitoes for two-three months, said an official.
“We introduced the spray last year on a pilot basis at two – three areas. Seeing the encouraging response we have decided to use it in all wards this year. It has no side effects,” said the official.
Spraying will be done in two phases—the first in the month of May and second in the month of July. “We will emphasise on spraying in slum clusters and rehabilitation colonies,” said the south Delhi mayor.
TEST AT LOW RATES
The SDMC officials said the municipality will provide testing through Elisa kits at minimum prices.
“This year, SDMC has decided to charge ₹299 for dengue test and ₹399 for chikungunia tests. In comparison, the city government has been charging ₹600 for the same tests,” said Sehrawat.
Civic agency will deploy mobile vans in localities which are far away from dispensaries to help locals.
ROPING IN SCHOOL KIDS
It has been decided to give homework cards to five lakhs students of all schools to gather information related to precautionary measures taken at their homes to stop breeding of mosquitoes. The data would be treated as primary information, on which the prevention plans in neighbourhoods will be executed, said officials.