Friday, 04 OCTOBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
In response to the rising number of dengue cases in the Dehradun district, the health department has commenced inspections to identify and eradicate larvae within residential properties. The occurrence of dengue cases has notably increased as September has progressed. Currently, there have been 19 reported cases of dengue in Dehradun, with four cases remaining active. Three individuals are receiving treatment at the Government Doon Medical College (GDMC), while the other one is hospitalised at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay district hospital (Coronation). The growing number of cases has raised concerns about dengue in the area.
In light of this, the health department is actively working to prevent further instances of dengue in the Dehradun district. Informing about this, District surveillance officer Dr CS Rawat stated that the number of dengue cases has risen in the Dehradun district due to changes in climatic conditions. In response to this increase, officials have been instructed to be more vigilant during the ongoing dengue awareness campaign initiated by the health department since July one. To prevent future cases, they have started inspecting for dengue larvae within domestic properties. During these inspections, dengue larvae were discovered behind refrigerators, indicating a lack of awareness about dengue prevention measures, he said.
He further added that they will intensify inspections within domestic properties by working closely with ASHA workers. Additionally, the district magistrate has approved the health department’s proposal to conduct larvicide and fogging activities themselves. Considering this, the department has requested the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun for fogging machines and labourers. Additionally, they have instructed government hospitals to ensure cleanliness and mosquito traps in the dengue isolation ward, he added.
It can be recalled that since July 1, ASHA workers have been diligently conducting a dengue awareness campaign aimed at educating individuals on preventive measures and conducting household inspections for larvae. This initiative involves the participation of 550 ASHA workers, each visiting approximately 40 to 50 houses daily. Further, 100 volunteers in Dehradun and 40 in Rishikesh have been allocated tasks to enhance dengue prevention awareness in their designated wards. Considering this, the department till now has conducted a total of 1,468,073 house surveys, resulting in 27,810 positive cases, and inspected 7,097,386 containers, with 75,457 containers testing positive.
