Mangaluru: Owing to a sudden spurt in Dengue cases in the Dakshina Kannada district, Deputy Commissioner S Sasikanth Senthil has asked the health department officials and the public to be alert and take precautionary measures to ensure that no more Dengue cases are reported anywhere in the district.
Senthil convened a meeting with the officials of health department in this regard at his office on Wednesday, July 17. He formed a total of 200 teams of three members each teach including a health worker. He asked every team to visit the houses and educate the people about the necessity of source reduction in order to curb the cases of Dengue fever.
Later, Senthil convened a press conference and informed that the weather prevailing in Dakshina Kannada district is very much conducive for the breeding of mosquitoes. He said, “Though monsoon has entered the district already, we are receiving scanty rainfall. Sometimes there is rainfall and other times there is sunny weather here. Such a situation helps the mosquitoes to breed in freshwater which should be prevented. As the Dengue mosquitoes prefer to lay eggs in freshwater. We need to avoid water accumulating in flowerpots, coconut shell, abandoned vessels among others.”
Informing about the Dengue cases reported in Dakshina Kannada district, Senthil said, “A total of 352 Dengue cases have been reported in Sullia, Bantwal, Kadaba and Mangaluru taluks since June. What started as 72 cases, has increased to 352 cases now. Though two persons have died owing to the suspected Dengue fever so far, it is yet to be confirmed. However, people need not panic as the health department officials have already initiated preventive measures like source reduction and educating people about the preventive measures to tackle the disease.
‘Don’t panic, but take precautionary measures’
Senthil has told the public not panic but take some precautionary measures. “People should avoid water stagnation in their premises and storing water for more than two days in buckets, empty vessels among others. As Dengue mosquitoes bite during the daytime, people should wear full cloths and apply neem or coconut oil on the body.
Meanwhile, Senthil informed that he would call a meeting of schools and colleges in order to create awareness among the students.
.jpg)
