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Zero dengue death target in Delhi, says Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Wednesday announced to launch a campaign from Sunday to fight dengue and chikungunya in the national Capital as it aims to have zero deaths owing to the vector-borne diseases this season.

Making the announcement, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged people to give 10 minutes every Sunday towards curbing mosquito breeding in their homes.

He said for 10 Sundays between September 1 and November 15 — the peak season for the diseases — he would check his own home at 10 am for 10 minutes to ensure there is no stagnant water for dengue mosquitoes to breed.

Kejriwal urged Delhi citizens to join the '10Hafte10Baje10Minute' (10 weeks 10 am 10 minutes) campaign in which they will have to set aside 10 minutes every Sunday at 10 am for the campaign.

He also said that along with the populace, Delhi Cabinet ministers, MLAs and schools would unite to fight dengue.

The Chief Minister appealed to the masses to ensure there is no stagnant water in flower pots, coolers and other places at their homes.

"Mosquitoes lay eggs in clean stagnant water which become mosquitoes within 8-10 days. If we check all sources of stagnant water at our homes, we can prevent the outbreak of dengue and chikungunya," he said.

Sharing statistics, he said dengue cases have dropped in three years by 80 per cent. "This year, Delhi will unite and end dengue."

He added: "If all of us in Delhi inspect our homes for just 10 minutes every Sunday morning, we can successfully combat dengue. Make sure there's no standing water at any place in your home, and if there is, pour it out, replace it or pour oil over it."

He further stated: "The Delhi government has undertaken various measures to tackle the outbreak of these diseases like establishing nearly 500 fever clinics and equipping all Mohalla Clinics. The Mohalla Clinics play a crucial role in controlling the outbreak of vector-borne diseases."

Dengue virus is carried by female mosquitoes of Aedes aegypti species that breed in clean stagnant water.

Kejriwal claimed "unprecedented" improvement in the health infrastructure in Delhi under the AAP government.

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