Mandya: Residents have been urged to take urgent precautions against dengue as monsoon approaches, with district authorities stepping up preparedness amid rising fears of mosquito-borne infections.At an inter-departmental coordination committee meeting at the District Office Auditorium Wednesday, DC Kumara warned that dengue, spread by Aedes mosquitoes, poses a serious threat during the rainy season when stagnant water aids breeding. He called for coordinated action across departments to prevent an outbreak.To ensure treatment readiness, officials have been directed to reserve at least five beds for dengue patients in every taluk hospital.Schools will step up awareness efforts, with the education department asked to conduct regular programmes and ensure that dengue prevention messages and pamphlets are read during morning assemblies.A hygiene crackdown has also been ordered. Authorities will act against the sale of uncovered food and pre-cut fruits on roadsides, while hotels, meat shops and marriage halls have been told to maintain cleanliness and ensure proper waste disposal.Emphasising that cleanliness is key to controlling dengue, gram panchayats and urban local bodies have been directed to intensify fogging and pesticide spraying in vulnerable areas.
