Come Nor'westers, drive against dengue initiated by KMC

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has intensified its drive against Dengue in view of the nor'wester that is hitting the city. The state government has given Rs 3 crore to KMC to carry on with its anti Dengue drive. It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has instructed all civic bodies to take steps to prevent Dengue.

At all the administrative review meetings, she has asked senior officials of the district administration to keep the areas under the civic bodies and Panchayats clean. She has also instructed district administration to launch drives to create awareness Dengue.

The KMC has intensified the cleaning operation. KMC teams are visiting houses regularly to inspect the overhead tanks and underground reservoirs. If mosquito larvae is found, the owners in case of individual houses and secretary in case of housing cooperatives are asked to take steps to clean the overhead tanks and underground reservoirs. The residents have been asked to clear the containers used to store water once in a week.

Debashis Biswas, Chief Vector Control officer of KMC said Aedes Egypti mosquitoes take seven days to complete their life circle, that is, from egg to larvae to pupa and then to adult mosquito. "These seven days are very important. The residents are being requested to clean the containers at least once a week as a safety measure."

Atin Ghosh, member, Mayor-in-Council in charge of health said due to global warming, the breeding season of mosquitoes have changed. To cope with the situation, the KMC is carrying out drives against Dengue throughout the year.

"It is not possible for the civic bodies to bring the situation under control. We need cooperation of the residents. They should keep their houses clean and the containers used to store water should be cleaned once in a week. The overhead tanks and underground reservoirs should be properly covered."

The KMC has 15 Dengue detection centres in the city along with 24 Rapid Action teams. The KMC runs free clinics in every ward. KMC doctors said those suffering from fever should visit the Dengue detection centres and get their blood tested free of cost. Not only the centres have trained technicians, proper method is followed to detect Dengue.

It may be mentioned that the ministry of Health had lauded the KMC for the anti Dengue drives. Hoardings and posters to crate awareness among the people are put up all over the city. The KMC is also assisting the neighbourding civic bodies of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation and south Dum Dum municipality to conduct anti Dengue drives as well.