'Involve students in fight against vector-borne diseases'

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Wednesday directed all schools in the national Capital to actively involve students in spreading information on prevention and control of vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and chikungunya.

"Involving students is of great importance in awareness creating activities, as they can act as ambassadors to spread information and messages for prevention and control of vector borne diseases," a communication sent to all schools by the Directorate of Education (DoE) read.

"Students are most receptive to health messages. They may bring about the desired behavioural changes in their homes and their surrounding environment," the communiqué further said.

The DoE has listed activities, including sensitising students during morning assembly about prevention and control of mosquitogenic diseases, pasting a list of do's and dont's on notice boards, organising drawing and quiz competitions, and encouraging students to wear full sleeves clothes, among others.

With monsoon just a few weeks away, the Delhi government has pulled up its socks to start work for desilting drains so as to avoid water-logging, which in turn will curb breeding of mosquitoes.