The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Camp to create awareness on chikungunya

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Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Camp to create awareness on chikungunya

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: Even as fresh cases with symptoms of chikungunya were reported, a campaign to create awareness about the control of chikungunya, dengue and other vector-borne diseases in affected areas here was taken up on Sunday.

It was an informative Sunday for the residents of Srirampuram, Ramchandra- puram, Lakshminarayanpuram, Sevashram, Okalipuram and surrounding areas as teams of doctors and link-workers accompanied by members from non-governmental organisations went door-to-door and explained the dos and don’ts to them. Doctors and health officials from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) along with members of various non-governmental organisations and the Board of Visitors of the Srirampuram Referral Hospital were a part of the exercise.

Pamphlets

Pamphlets with messages such as “do not wash your clothes in front of your houses”; “do not collect water in open containers”; “protect yourselves from mosquito bites”; “use mosquito repellents” were distributed.

BBMP Chief Health Officer L.T. Gayatri said the health officials were regularly conducting such camps in the affected areas.

“It is not possible to eradicate the mosquito menace. We are doing our best to control the menace and prevent vector-borne diseases. We appeal to the people to actively involve themselves in our efforts,” she said.

“Spraying and fogging of chemicals have been taken up regularly. Fogging is being done once a week in the affected areas because daily fogging could lead to respiratory problems in people,” she said. She said the Board of Visitors of the Srirampuram Referral Hospital had come forward to involve students of all schools in the zone to create awareness in the affected areas.

The health officials had been asked to ensure that there was no water stagnation at construction sites or any other places, she added.

As many as 14 cases with symptoms of chikungunya were reported at the Government-run KC General Hospital.

Of these, one patient has been admitted in the chikungunya ward and the rest have been treated as outpatients, K.R. Shivaprasad, senior specialist at the hospital, said.

However, only one case was reported at the Srirampuram Referral Hospital on Sunday. “There is a considerable decline in the number of fresh cases. But those who are undergoing treatment still complain of joint pain,” Gangalakshmi, Medical Superintendent of Srirampuram Referral Hospital, said.

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