Move to check dengue cases in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Worried over the rise in dengue cases, the state government has called an emergency meeting of health administrators at district and city levels on Saturday to discuss strategies and guidelines to counter the spread of the vector-borne disease and Covid. The capital city has recorded six dengue case in two days.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation's (BMC) health wing has been destroying mosquito larvae daily around the affected households in two localities - Chandrasekharpur and Damana - in the north zone. "We are sprinkling anti-larval spray in households where we find stagnant water. Also, we have been sensitising and testing people living close to the affected households," said city health officer (BMC), B K Mishra.
Last year between June and August, dengue cases had crossed 700 in the city. In 2018, more than 1,000 cases were recorded.
BMC said awareness raths (special vehicles) will be prepared for dissemination of messages on dengue prevention. The vehicles will be in addition to the ongoing regular campaign involving Swachh Sathis and sanitary inspectors at ward levels.
Additional district urban public health officer, Antaryami Mishra, said that dengue cases rise during monsoon because of stagnant water. "Our aim is to create awareness among people and check its spread from the beginning. The awareness drive will be run across the city covering every nook and corner. People should cooperate and clean up stagnant water on their terraces, corridors or any place, which can turn into a breeding ground for mosquitoes," said Mishra.
Dengue testing is now available at the Capital Hospital and Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) in the city. "However, if cases rise, more testing centres will be opened," Mishra added.