T’puram: With dengue cases on the rise in the district, the health department has intensified efforts to eliminate breeding sources of Aedes mosquitoes and urged public to actively participate in mosquito control activities.The district medical officer (DMO) Dr Bindu Mohan on Friday directed residents, institutions and local bodies to strengthen source reduction measures, warning that intermittent rainfall has created favourable conditions for mosquito breeding.In a statement, the DMO urged public to undertake intensive cleaning of their surroundings on Monday and Tuesday as part of the district-wide campaign.As part of the initiative, ‘Dry Day’ observances have been scheduled at different locations every week. Educational institutions have been asked to observe ‘Dry Day’ on Fridays, commercial establishments and construction sites on Saturdays, and households and public places on Sundays.The DMO said the most effective way to prevent dengue is to eliminate stagnant water where Aedes mosquitoes breed. Residents have been advised to inspect both indoor and outdoor areas for potential breeding sites. Water should not be allowed to accumulate in refrigerator drip trays, flowerpot plates, ornamental plant containers and unused toilet closets.People have also been instructed to ensure that discarded coconut shells, bottles, tyres, grinding stones, mortars, wash basins and other unused items kept outdoors do not collect rainwater. Water stagnation on terraces, sunshades, roof gutters, plastic sheets and tarpaulins should be prevented. Water storage containers and overhead tanks must be kept tightly covered to prevent mosquito entry, while owners of gardens and plantations should ensure that water does not stagnate on their premises.The health department has also advised people to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents, wearing light-coloured clothing that covers the body, and installing mosquito screens on windows and doors.Residents experiencing symptoms such as fever and body pain have been advised to take complete rest and seek medical attention if symptoms persist. Parents have been urged not to send children with fever to school. The DMO also recommended using mosquito nets while sleeping, drinking plenty of water and consuming easily digestible food during illness. Anyone whose symptoms do not improve should immediately visit the nearest health facility for medical evaluation and treatment, the DMO added in the statement.
