Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Need for concerted efforts at local level to fight chikungunya

With chikungunya spreading across Kerala, the menace of the mosquito that spreads it, which thrives not only in the unhygienic outdoor settings but also indoors, is in focus. Aside from Government-level measures, what role can the public play in the control and eradication of the vector? Our readers respond:

Dispose of waste

Accumulation of garbage and waste water is the main reason for the outbreak of epidemics. Domestic waste should be segregated into recyclable and bio-degradable and disposed of on our own land or handed over to municipal authorities. Plastic containers, coconut shells, and old tyres should not be left lying around. Surroundings should be kept clean.

M.P. Bipin

Thiruvananthapuram

Biological control

Individuals can play a crucial role in the vector control of chikungunya fever. The public should focus on keeping their house and premises clean and clutter-free, which will reduce the resting places of mosquitoes. Avoiding stagnant water near houses and public places and adopting biological control methods such as growing gambusia fish in ponds and lakes will help in marked reduction of breeding places. Children and pregnant women should take special precautions and are advised to sleep inside mosquito nets, ideally rectangular ones covering all the sides of bed. Usage of mosquito coils and repellents are also of considerable benefit. Schools, offices and public places should be made mosquito-free by using source reduction methods such as covering of pits and keeping dustbins with solid lids throughout the campus.

The residents' associations can also play a crucial role by organising medical camps, conducting inspections of environmental sanitation in their residential areas and creating awareness among the local people of the importance of vector control. Mini incinerators can be installed in colonies and streets by residents' associations, which help in burning waste materials rather than dumping them.

Any case of fever or symptoms of viral illness should be reported to the local health care professional immediately.

Rajasree Pai R

By email

Spread awareness

Dengue, malaria and chikungunya are all caused by mosquitoes. Though the Governments has taken steps, these will not be successful without the cooperation from the people.

Most people dump broken/old utensils, jars, drums in the open areas of their houses. These become the breeding ground of mosquitoes. In urban areas, drainage is let out into the open. Drains get clogged because waste is dumped into them.

In rural areas, people throw the wastes into open pits near their houses. Waste water and rainwater fill these pits, leading to stagnation of water.

People should be made aware of these aspects. Those who still let waste out into the open should be punished.

Kruppasamy Selvaraj

Thiruvananthapuram

Stress on hygiene

Our major problem is disposal of garbage. The corporations, municipalities and panchayats are not serious about the issue. We do not know how to tackle this problem; as a result, waste keeps accumulating, resulting in outbreak of diseases.

People should keep their surroundings clean and hygienic. Classes should be conducted to spread awareness in this regard.

To check the disease, people should use mosquito repellent, creams and mosquito nets. They should drink only boiled water. Stagnant water should not be allowed to stand. Old tyres, plastic containers, tins, etc should be disposed of.

Arun R

Pathanamthitta

Inspect houses

Involve residents' associations in control of chikungunya.

Mosquitoes breed in areas where water collects. Coconut shells and discarded tins can serve as breeding grounds of mosquitoes. Residents' association can constitute groups to go round houses and look for and destroy such breeding grounds.

Mosquitoes also breed on terraces of buildings if water collects there.

Government office premises can also become breeding grounds unless their trenches are drained well and the campus kept clean.

Schoolchildren can also be alerted to look for sites of mosquito breeding and clear them.

C. Ramaswamy Chettiar

Vanchiyoor

Educate people

Without people's participation, all preventive measures launched by the Government to control the mosquito population will be in vain. The people should be made aware of the need to keep their surroundings clean. Tanks and other water containers should be kept covered. Water should not be allowed to stagnate even in small pits. Repellents, coils and nets should be used to check mosquitoes inside houses.

Rajany

Thiruvananthapuram

Check mosquito population

The Government has to speed up efforts to combat chikungunya by fogging, spraying of mosquito breeding agents in open drains etc. It should also network with all the departments, NGOs, private agencies at the local and national level and go ahead with a coordinated effort to control this epidemic. People should make efforts to control chikungunya at the individual level too. Efforts should be concentrated on controlling the mosquito population by preventing breeding of mosquitoes in and around households. All the sources of stagnant water should be identified and cleared so that mosquitoes do not get to breed in them. Public water bodies should be kept clean and tidy. Households and immediate surroundings and public places should be kept clean. Adults, school and college students and youth club members can come together to clean public places such as roadsides, hospital compounds and so on. The Government should take measures to provide mosquito nets at reduced prices to low income people.

Renjan Mathew Varghese

Thiruvananthapuram

Follow the basics

When it comes to hygiene, it is always good to stick to the basics. Hygiene is not something that can be achieved overnight. However, when the situation is dire as is now, there are some things that we can do to avoid further transmittal of the disease. Do not let water stagnate in or around houses. Burning coconut husks will drive away the mosquitoes. Also, use mosquito nets at night.

The media has been spreading awareness about the disease and its symptoms. People should make use of the information and try and get medical attention in time.

Remya V.N

Thiruvananthapuram

Integrated method

There are four stages in the lifecycle of a mosquito - eggs, larva, pupa and adult - each of which can be controlled by environmental, chemical and biological methods. Aedes mosquito, the major vector of chikungunya, breeds in stagnant water in and around human dwellings such as water in discarded tins, bottles, buckets, pots, coconut shells and tree holes. The most important step to prevent laying of mosquito eggs is the elimination of breeding sources. It comprises of minor engineering methods such as filling and levelling of breeding grounds and intermittent irrigation. Changing the salinity of water makes it unfit for mosquito breeding. Adding oil such as kerosene and crude oil to water once a week cuts off the supply of air to the larvae and pupae and kills them effectively.

Raghesh Varot Kangath

By email

Lasting solution

Diseases such as chikungunya and dengue fever are caused by mosquitoes. Unless their breeding is checked, these diseases will continue to recur. Therefore, measures needed to tackle them should be of a permanent nature. To achieve this objective, the Government machinery as well as the public should rise to the occasion. The authorities should make the public aware of the seriousness of the menace. The people on their part should take care of maintaining cleanliness at their homes and the surroundings. We use plastics as never before in our lives. We should dispose them of properly so that they do not facilitate breeding of mosquitoes.

P. Achuthan

Thiruvananthapuram

Two-pronged approach

Chikungunya is spreading not only across the State but also the entire country. As mosquitoes are said to be spreading the disease, protective and preventive action by using mosquito nets and other deterrents should be taken. Houses should be kept clean inside and outside. A nationwide awareness campaign about sanitation should be undertaken. People should be educated about the disease symptoms and treatment. And we need further research to find out the exact cause of the disease, better medicines to fight it and better preventive care.

A. Jacob Sahayam

Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram

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