MANSI BHAMBRI/Dehradun
The district Health department is planning to deploy more volunteers in dengue hotspots this year. These are the areas where dengue larvae and cases were most commonly found in previous years. Dehradun chief medical officer Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma informed about this initiative while discussing the current status of dengue in the Dehradun district.
Sharma reported that only two cases of dengue have so far been reported in the month of May this year and both of them were migrants. These patients were admitted for other diseases and tested positive for dengue during routine checks. He said that the current season has not brought increased humidity yet, which decreases the chances of dengue prevalence. However, the unpredictable weather—with intermittent rainfall and sunshine—could influence the occurrence of dengue cases.
In response, the Health department has prepared to prevent dengue outbreaks in Dehradun. Recently, the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) facilitators have been issued a letter to conduct surveys and awareness campaigns regarding dengue. ASHA workers are expected to begin these activities soon, which will involve surveying homes and designated areas to check for dengue larvae and standing water. They will also educate the public about dengue prevention during this activity, he said.
The CMO further added that if ASHA workers find any dengue larvae during their surveys, they will inform the Health department, which will then contact the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) to apply larvicide and conduct fogging in the affected areas. Additionally, the deployment of volunteers is scheduled to commence soon. A meeting regarding the procedure for hiring these volunteers for dengue survey activities will take place with the district magistrate on May 13. Sharma emphasised that a separate meeting with ASHA facilitators and ASHA workers will also occur on May 11 for the said dengue purpose. Additionally, government and private hospitals in the Dehradun district have been directed to ensure they are prepared for dengue cases, which includes setting up isolation wards, providing mosquito nets and other necessary measures, he said.
CMO calls residents to conduct dengue check every Sunday
DEHRADUN: The chief medical officer of Dehradun, Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, has urged residents to ensure there is no stagnant water on their properties every Sunday. He emphasised that citizens also play a crucial role in preventing dengue cases. Sharma encouraged residents to check for any containers or areas that may have stagnant water and to decant them immediately if found on said day every week, which will break the cycle of larvae, if any. He expected that surely this simple action can significantly help in preventing dengue outbreaks.
He also said that common symptoms of dengue include fever, headaches and others. Sharma advised anyone experiencing these symptoms to consult a doctor promptly.
