MUMBAI: In a bid to combat malaria and dengue, BMC's insecticide department has launched a drive at city hospitals to detect and destroy mosquito breeding spots. The drive will cover all BMC hospitals, peripheral hospitals and health posts.
This month, 398 malaria and 139 dengue cases have been reported in the city. (until Sept 18) In August 787 cases of malaria and 169 cases of dengue were reported. "The drive is a preventive measure, wherein the indoors and outdoors of all hospital premises will be inspected to detect and destroy vectors of malaria and dengue. Though we carry out drives regularly, we are conducting this drive on the directions of additional municipal commissioner Sanjeev Kumar," said Rajan Naringrekar, BMC insecticide officer. "The pattern of rains in the last 15 days has been bad vis-a-vis malaria and dengue cases. The drive is part of the aedes control strategy. If mosquito breeding spots are found on the premises of a hospital, then the dean or the in-charge of the hospital concerned will also be informed to carry out preventive action," an official said.
BMC's public health department has cautioned citizens that dengue cases could be on the rise, so, they should take precautions to prevent breeding of mosquitoes. This year, the city has already reported 492 cases of dengue. Last year, 876 cases were reported. The department said that people can prevent breeding of larvae by keeping their premises clean and clearing out the odd articles such as tins, thermocol boxes, coconut shells and tyres.
