THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Army and the Navy will assist the Kerala Government in a week-long cleanliness drive being launched from Tuesday to tackle the mosquito-borne viral disease chikungunya which has affected more than 7,000 people in the State since January this year.

Steps to be discussed

All political parties in the State promised their active involvement in the cleanliness drive when Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan called the leaders for an all-party meeting here on Saturday to discuss the measures required to handle the crisis.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Mr. Achuthanandan said the disease had so far claimed 36 lives in the State and its prevalence was more in Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts.

The affected people came mostly from the weaker sections of society.

The general sentiment at the meeting was that there should be total application on the part of the Government, various political parties and voluntary organisations to prevent the spread of the disease to new areas. All political parties said they would mobilise their workers to make the cleanliness drive a success, Mr. Achuthanandan said.

"With the experience of one outbreak of this disease behind us, we are in a better state of preparedness this time. The hospitals have sufficient stock of medicines and the doctors and paramedical staff are well prepared. Medical camps too will be opened wherever necessary," the Chief Minister said.

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