The Hindu : New Delhi News : MCD to intensify dengue awareness campaign

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New Delhi

MCD to intensify dengue awareness campaign

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: With 15 cases of dengue reported in the Capital so far this year as against nine last year, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has decided to step up its dengue awareness programme in schools in the coming days.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the MCD Standing Committee on Wednesday.

Focus on schools

Under the proposal, the civic body would be publishing and distributing information pamphlets on dengue and the precautions to be taken among children in all the 1,800 MCD schools as well as government and private schools in the Capital.

The civic body would also be intensifying its awareness campaign through the medium of radio and television in the coming days.

Standing Committee chairman Vijender Gupta said: “School children should be made aware about preventing dengue so that they can spread the message in their families and community. Rallies by school students and other measures can also be contemplated in this direction.”

Elaborating on the measures taken by the civic body to prevent the outbreak of dengue in the city, MCD Additional Commissioner Naresh Kumar said: “A team of 3,257 domestic breeding checkers have been undertaking door-to-door checking in various areas and so far 44 lakh checks have been conducted. Due to more rain witnessed in the Capital this year, the conditions have been very conducive for breeding of dengue causing mosquitoes.”

MCD Medical Health Officer Dr. N. K. Yadav added: “High breeding has been found in several areas of Delhi including residential colonies and Delhi Transport Corporation depots. Though our efforts to create awareness through conduct of workshops, holding of public meetings among other things is already on, we would be intensifying it.”

However, Mr. Gupta flayed the Delhi Government for issuing a “high alert” on dengue, saying that this would only create panic among the people.

“The MCD is the main public health agency in the Capital and the civic body is aware of its responsibilities,” added Mr. Gupta.

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