Tamil Nadu   

“Clean surroundings can prevent chikungunya”

Tiruchi Bureau

Students have effective role in educating people: Minister

With a message: Students taking out a rally in Vallam near Thanjavur on Sunday.

Thanjavur: The outbreak of chikungunya is preventable provided steps are taken to keep the environment clean, said the Union Minister of State for Finance, S.S. Palanimanikkam here on Sunday.

Launching a movement to prevent the outbreak of chikungunya, the Minister said that the State Government has geared up its Health Ministry and has launched a campaign to create awareness among people about chikungunya.

He appealed to college students, who gathered in large numbers at Vallam, where the movement was launched, to take up the task of creating awareness among people. “Students can carry the message easily and educate people”, he said.

The Deputy Director of Health, Kannan, said that not a single chikungunya case was reported in the district, and precautionary measures have been taken to prevent the spread of this disease from other districts.

He said that the stagnation of water in small articles like coconut shells and cycle tyres could also act as breeding ground for the mosquitoes. These should be destroyed and environment of the house should be kept clean.

The District Collector (in charge), N. Muthukaruppan, also spoke.

Awareness rallies to spread the message of public hygiene and cleanliness, were taken out in the Perambalur and Ariyalur towns by the respective Municipalities and the Health Department on Saturday, as part of the preventive measures against the outbreak of chikungunya.

The rally in Perambalur town was flagged-off by the District Revenue Officer, P. Shankar.

A large number of students of different schools and officials of the Health Department carrying placards and banners walked through the thoroughfares of the town. The placards and banners highlighted the importance of keeping the surrounding areas clean and tidy. They also demanded the people to prevent the stagnation of water in public places and households.

The Chairperson of the District Panchayat, Kodiyarasi Duraisamy, the Joint Director of Health, Gandhimathi, the Deputy Director of Health, Mohan, the Superintendent of the Government Headquarters Hospital, Gunagomathi, and others participated in the rally.

A similar rally was taken out in Ariyalur town on Saturday. Meanwhile the school students and health officials took out a rally in Andimandam on Sunday.

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