Sunday, 30 JUNE 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Health department has directed the Chief Education Officer (CEO) to send a letter to all private schools in Dehradun outlining the guidelines that must be followed to prevent cases of dengue among students. Notably, as the summer vacation has ended and the monsoon season has arrived, the risk of dengue has also increased. Due to this seasonal change, the Health department emphasised the importance of preventing dengue cases, especially within schools. Stating this, the District Service Officer (DSO) at the Health department, Dr CS Rawat stated that student safety in schools is a top priority. The aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the dengue virus, is most active during the day when children are at school. In light of this and the upcoming monsoon season, Rawat stated that they have recently instructed the CEO to send a letter to the school outlining the necessary guidelines to prevent dengue cases. The guidelines dictate that students must wear full-sleeved shirts upon entering the school, regular fogging should be conducted on campus and the school management must ensure there is no stagnant water on the premises. Additionally, the DSO said that in accordance with these guidelines, the Health department will dispatch a team of officials to inspect the school. Further, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers have been directed to carry out an awareness and training programme at schools aimed at preventing the proliferation of dengue larvae in the vicinity. He informed that they will also conduct training sessions for teachers so they can educate students on dengue prevention.
Rawat further emphasised that students are the primary responsibility of parents. Hence, it is imperative for parents to ensure that their children wear full-sleeve school uniforms when going to the school, as well as apply mosquito repellent on their bodies, he said.
