State Task Force holds meeting for prevention and control of dengue

Chandigarh, May 29, 2016: Everyone should play proactive role for prevention of dengue this year as breeding of mosquito of dengue (Aedes) has already been reported in the state. Sh.Surjit Kumar Jyani, Health & Family Welfare Minister, Punjab told this while chairing a meeting of State Task Force for involvement of other stakeholder departments in prevention and control of dengue and other communicable disease. It was discussed that dengue has already been reported in many states in the southern India and it can be reported from the state also, due to rains. Aedes mosquito breeds in clean water inside the houses, offices, public places etc and thus each and every individual can help in prevention of its breeding.
Health Minister desired that the Department of Local Govt should liaise with Department of Health and issue challans against the houses or establishments where breeding of Aedes is detected. He asked that high risk areas identified by the Department of Health and Local Govt should be sprayed and fogged accordingly. He exhorted the Govt and private schools authorities to disseminate awareness among students, especially during assembly sessions, regarding steps for prevention of mosquito breeding. He instructed the department of Transport and Roadways to ensure that the discarded tyres etc are either disposed or sprayed properly to prevent breeding of mosquitos. Rural Development and Panchayats department had been asked to sensitize the panchayats for sanitation and cleanliness for prevention of spread of dengue as well as other communicable diseases.
Ms. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Punjab urged all the departments to act before the start of rainy season and ensure that breeding opportunities of mosquitoes are capped in order to avoid outbreak of dengue this year. She also urged the IMA and all private practitioners to ensure that the report of every suspected case of dengue must be shared with the Health Department so that remedial measures are taken promptly. She also informed that the testing of dengue with Rapid Diagnostic Kits (RDKs) is not recommended and the dengue has been declared as a notified disease in the State. Non reporting of disease can be punishable under Epidemic Disease Act. Ms. Vini Mahajan told that Health Department has already resolved to observe every Friday as a dry day to clean coolers, flower pots and other water containers to prevent breeding of mosquitoes. She appealed people to support this cause so that a health friendly environment can be maintained. On this occasion the annual report of dengue for 2015 was also released by the officials. Sh. Hussan Lal, Secretary Health-cum-Mission Director, National Health Mission, Punjab was also present in this meeting.