Health Dept instructs ASHA workers to be more vigilant in dengue prevention campaign
Sunday, 01 SEPTEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Health department has instructed volunteers and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers to be more vigilant during the dengue prevention campaign in the month of September. Informing about this, the Dehradun district surveillance officer Dr CS Rawat reported that no cases of dengue have been recorded in the Dehradun district during August. However, precautions are being taken considering the current environmental conditions characterised by reduced rainfall leading to water stagnation and potential larvae breeding sites. In a recent meeting held by the Health department with the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD), officials discussed future strategies to prevent dengue cases in September and October, he said.
He further emphasised that the current environment is conducive to breeding of mosquitoes. As a result, instructions have been given to ASHA workers and volunteers to remain vigilant during the dengue prevention campaign activities. They have been directed to conduct inspections twice a week at the same house or location to disrupt the cycle of mosquito larvae proliferation. Further, MCD supervisors have been advised to share their contact information with the volunteers and ASHA workers for immediate coordination regarding larvicide and fogging in areas with high dengue prevalence, he said.
Rawat added that instructions have been issued due to the increased number of dengue cases in the month of September in the year 2023. To prevent dengue cases this year in September, workers and MCD officials have been directed to actively participate in the dengue prevention campaign, he said.
It will be recalled that since July 1, ASHA workers have been conducting a dengue awareness campaign which involves raising public awareness on prevention methods and inspecting households for mosquito larvae. A total of 550 ASHA workers are engaged in this initiative, with each worker visiting 40 to 50 houses daily, officials said. Further, 100 volunteers in Dehradun and 40 in Rishikesh have been assigned to increase dengue prevention awareness in their respective wards.
