The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) health officials inspected Sophia High School on Tuesday, after two of its students died of suspected dengue in a private hospital, recently. They also took up fogging and sprayed disinfectants on the campus.

The officials slapped a notice on the New Consolidated Construction Company, located adjacent to the school where officials found stagnant water and mosquito breeding places. An amount of Rs five lakh will be collected from the company as penalty for not maintaining hygiene.  

Speaking to mediapersons, M Madan Gopal, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, said they would form a committee to check the vector-borne diseases. “If the needs arises, fever testing booths will also be set up.” Gopal said that Palike had been instructed to intensify fogging along with spraying of disinfectants and also to rope in students from nursing colleges to create awareness and address the manpower crisis.

Intermittent rains

The number of dengue positive cases is on the rise due to intermittent rains coupled with uncleared garbage piled up at every corner in the City. Though garbage heaps are not a breeding place for mosquitoes, fresh rainwater collected in waste plastic cups is ideal for them to breed. Although this could be the reason for an increase in dengue cases in the City, the BBMP is yet to take concrete preventive measures.