Dengue drives continue even after end of rainy season

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is conducting anti-dengue drives on a war footing even though the rainy season has come to an end.

The leaves of the KMC health department employees on Saturdays and Sundays and holidays have been cancelled till November 9. Civic officials said round-the-year drives have helped to reduce the number of dengue affected cases to 2,100 till date.

As the dengue-bearing mosquitoes have changed their breeding season, the KMC had also started the anti-larvae drives from January 2018. Rallies were held in Kolkata as part of the awareness campaigns. The state government has given Rs 4 crore to the KMC to intensify the campaigns.

Civic officials said the main reason behind the reduction in the number of dengue cases is coordinated efforts of the departments. Regular meetings have taken place where senior officials of the KMC's building, sewerage and drainage and solid waste management departments are present. The KMC has held several rounds of talks with the senior officials of various state government and Central government departments. Drives at state-run hospitals and office premises have proved to be very effective.

To involve the local clubs in anti-larvae drives, the KMC will give cash prizes to 26 best Pujas in the city and another 24 Pujas will get awards under the Mayor's choice. These clubs had conducted anti-dengue awareness campaigns during Durga Puja.

They will be awarded at a function scheduled to be held on November 22.