T’puram: Govt will constitute a special squad to intensify measures against communicable diseases, including dengue and chikungunya, in Vattiyoorkavu constituency, said the health minister K Muraleedharan.The squad will function under the coordination of ward councillors, with officials from the health department and the city corporation’s health wing taking part in the preventive activities. The move is aimed at improving coordination and ensuring that interventions are focused on areas reporting disease cases.The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Muraleedharan on Tuesday, attended by councillors and officials of the health department and the corporation. Complaints had been raised that councillors were not being informed about mosquito-control measures undertaken by the two departments.The meeting also decided to seek the cooperation of residents’ associations to strengthen public participation in identifying and eliminating mosquito-breeding sources in residential areas.Vattiyoorkavu reported 54 chikungunya and 87 dengue cases during June and July. A detailed action plan has been prepared to contain the spread, with source reduction, fogging, and awareness campaigns being undertaken at the field level.In Vazhotukonam ward, which reported a relatively high number of chikungunya cases, the vector control unit, Vattiyoorkavu family health centre’s public health staff and Asha workers, conducted preventive activities continuously for a week. Officials said the measures had led to a significant decline in chikungunya cases in the area.The meeting also expressed concern over the spread of tomato flu at Govt Girls Higher Secondary School, Pattom. The health department had recommended that the school be closed for 10 days after cases were detected, but the recommendation was reportedly not implemented. The meeting noted that the disease subsequently spread to more children.Complaints regarding poor sanitation on the school premises and in the surrounding areas were also raised.Muraleedharan said the education department would be asked to ensure the cooperation of the school authorities.
