Concerned over sporadic reports of dengue and chikungunya at the beginning of this year, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) Commissioner Dr PK Goel has issued an advisory on prevention and control of vector-borne diseases in Delhi on Monday. Goel has called for prevention of mosquito breeding by source and made it clear that the reduction is the only effective tool for prevention and control of these diseases. “The prevention and control have become essential as there is no specific treatment against Dengue and Chikungunya,” he said.
The Commissioner said the vector mosquito breed mainly on an artificial collection of clean water in desert coolers uncovered storage containers and old tyres.
The Commissioner also advised people to buy NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control) designed coolers which prevent mosquito breeding. Such coolers may be used instead of conventional desert coolers.
He has also instructed the heads of educational institutions and offices to cooperate in controlling mosquito breeding. “The various agencies in the health sector have reported mosquito breeding in
different parts of Delhi and
are putting all the efforts to ensure that Overhead and other water tanks/containers are kept properly covered with the lid and overflow pipe/air vent is covered with wire mesh,” he said.