DC asks for residents’ help to tackle dengue

Manglauru: The Dakshina Kannada district administration has requested people to “hunt for mosquito larva” on Sundays.
As part of the drive against dengue and other vector-borne diseases, the district administration, in association with the health department and Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), has decided to involve people’s participation through the ‘Hunt For Larva’ programme to be taken up by residents in houses on Sundays. While the district has recorded 482 cases of dengue, over 400 patients have recovered. The number of admissions in government and private hospitals too has come down, deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil said at a meet the press event organised by the Mangaluru Press Club on Friday.
He said the changed rain pattern was the reason for sudden surge in the number of dengue cases in the district. “The district has been recording an average of 10-20 cases of dengue from January to May. However, the number of cases were seen increasing considerably from the first week of July. Special teams formed by us have been working in the field for mosquito source reduction, and to create awareness on dengue. We have been requesting people to check in case there are places where mosquitoes breed, inside their homes. Dengue mosquitoes are low-flying , that mostly reside inside houses. Hence, people should check all places inside their homes where water is stored in containers, vessels, flower vases, trays of refrigerators and terraces. If larva is found, it should be destroyed scientifically by clearing the water and cleaning the containers,” the DC said, adding the situation will be fully controlled within two weeks, if people join hands in the effort.
“Very soon, the city corporation will launch a drive to release guppy fish into stagnant water bodies, including open wells in the city. Regular surveillance will also be done to monitor the situation in the district,” he said.
Blood requirement
KMC Hospital Blood Bank authorities have requested people to donate blood. “We need blood donors of any group, as a lot of children in Mangaluru are admitted in the hospital due to dengue. said the hospital PRO. Call: 9845143887.