Preventive steps take backseat, MCDs still await the ‘certain number’

The spread of dengue menace lies in apathy as the civic bodies are yet step up preventive measures like fogging and public awareness. According to the MCD reports, they began fogging on September 1 this year after as many as 831 dengue cases and two deaths were reported. What comes as a shock is that the Municipal bodies, which are authorised to control the vector-borne disease, carried out fumigation only once after the break of dengue this year.

 

According to officials, MCDs do not have a regular fogging programme and is done only once the dengue cases reach a certain number. “This time fogging process began on September 1 in North. Outdoor and indoor fumigation is carried out depending on the number of cases reported from the affected areas,” said AK Bansal, North <g data-gr-id="37">MCD’s</g> Municipal Health Officer.

Municipal health officials are also of the view that fumigation doesn’t put an end to dengue outbreak and is ineffective too. Fogging only kills the adult mosquito and not the larva. “Fogging does not prevent dengue. It only kills the adult mosquito whereas there is no effect on the larva, therefore the reproduction continues. Fogging will be carried out twice in areas where most cases have been found,” said an official.

Officials also argue that fumigation doesn’t work in outdoor areas. “People panic when cases of dengue are reported and thus create pressure on us. But fogging does not work out in open areas as the smoke gets mixed in the air in a few minutes. Windows and doors should be kept shut for a while after smoke seeps through the houses to have some effect,” added the official.

North Delhi Mayor Ravinder Gupta said the fumigation programme had been intensified in areas where <g data-gr-id="34">higher</g> number of cases has been found. “We are taking all possible measures to deal with the increasing number of dengue cases in the areas under our jurisdiction and to further strengthen the services, staff at the fever clinics have been increased so that <g data-gr-id="32">more number</g> of dengue patients can be treated efficiently, and more technical staff have been deployed in the pathological laboratories, among other measures,” he added.

EDMC Standing Committee Chairperson Lata Gupta said the Councillors are working with the Residents Welfare Associations to tackle dengue in East Delhi which has reported the least number of dengue cases. “We are duly carrying out fogging in areas and took other preventive measures months in advance,” she added.