Concerned over the rapid spurt in dengue and chikungunya cases in the State, especially in urban areas, Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Jawaid Akhtar has written to the Urban Development Department and BBMP seeking their cooperation in controlling the spread of the vector-borne diseases.
In separate letters addressed to UDD Principal Secretary Anjum Parvez and BBMP Commissioner N. Manjunath Prasad, Mr. Akthar and Health Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pandey respectively have requested them to ensure that preventive measures to check mosquito breeding are intensified on a war-footing.
Pointing out that nearly 39% of the total vector-borne diseases in the State are from urban areas, Mr. Jawaid Akthar has requested the municipal bodies to ensure regular drinking water supply, proper disposal of un-recyclable solid waste, stringent implementation of building and civic by-laws, curbing mosquito breeding and creating awareness on the need to stay safe from mosquito bites.
In his letter to the BBMP Commissioner, Mr. Pandey expressed displeasure that despite repeated messages to the BBMP health officials to check the spread of communicable diseases including dengue, chikungunya and malaria, they had not initiated any measures.
“I request you to direct your officials to intensify preventive measures before there is an outbreak in the city,” he said in the letter.