As monsoon approaches, Palike gears up to check diseases

Intensifies surveillance, implements source reduction activities

With the monsoon set to arrive this week, the BBMP is gearing up to tackle vector-borne diseases in the city.
The Palike has intensified its surveillance and is taking many precautions to control the spread of dengue, chikungunya and malaria. “We are intensifying all the source reduction activities for this year. House-to-house larval survey is being conducted. Chemicals like Penephom and Pyrethrum are being used to stop mosquito breeding,” said Dr Naveen Kumar, nodal officer, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP).

Dr Prakash Kumar, deputy ­­director of NVBDCP and the state programme manager of the National Health Mission (NHM) said urban health centres and public health centres are being set up in the city in addition to the existing health centres. He added that urban ASHA workers are also deployed in BBMP areas to educate people. There is better coordination between the health department and the BBMP.

According to experts, such diseases can only be controlled by targeting mosquito breeding spots like overhead tanks, flower pots, water coolers and airconditioner ducts. They said people should clear empty barrels, tyres etc from their surroundings.

Dr Venkatesh T, project coordinator for non-communicable diseases, BBMP said, “The incidents of vector borne diseases may increase this year.”

“Bengaluru is growing horizontally, and more people, including migrants and construction workers, are coming into the city. So it is likely there will be more cases,” he added.

According to Public Health Information and Epidemiology, the number of confirmed cases of dengue till March this year is 4,112, while that of chikungunya is 50. In all, 239 dengue cases were reported from April 2017 till date. Confirmed cases of H1N1 for three months from January are 1,140.
DH News Service

Symptoms
For dengue, the indications are fever, headache, especially pain around eyes, vomiting and body ache. Chikungunya is characterised by severe joint pain in addition to dengue symptoms.