The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Dengue: VMC to step up awareness campaign

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 27, 2007
ePaper

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Dengue: VMC to step up awareness campaign

Staff Reporter

Plan to rope in cinema hall managements

VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has decided to step up its campaign to create awareness among people about dengue fever.

The corporation plans to take the help of managements of cinema halls and religious places in its endeavour. VMC officials are of the view that it is necessary to create awareness about the fever among the representatives of these places, as a large number of people gather at these places. There is a need to sanitise these places and make them free of mosquitoes.

As part of its campaign, the corporation convened a meeting with the managements of schools and colleges in the city on Wednesday. Chief Medical and Health Officer Kolli Srikaruna Murthy impressed upon the managements that students were more prone to dengue fever, as the Aedis egypti mosquito responsible for spreading the disease bites only during day time when students spend their time in schools. He observed that ventilation and flow of air were very poor in most of the educational institutions in the city. It was exactly these conditions that were suitable for the breeding of mosquitoes, including Aedis egypti.

Dr. Murthy said spraying of pyrethrum once in a week could help control the breeding of mosquitoes. He also wanted the managements to clean the rooftops of their institutions by removing any stagnated water. The institutions should also make it mandatory for students to wear full sleeve shirts, trousers and socks while in the educational institution to avoid mosquito bite. Admitting that some suspected dengue cases had been reported in private hospitals, Dr. Murthy said not even a single case turned out to be positive.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail