DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

With the rainy season is around the corner, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the state task force to chalk-out a strategy to prevent the outbreak of vector-borne and water borne diseases in the state. Vector-borne diseases include Dengue, Chikunguniya, Malaria, Lymphatic Filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis and Kala Azar. Dr Balbir Singh, while reviewing the activities being carried out by the health department to deal with the threat of dengue, Malaria and other vector and water borne diseases, instructed them to concentrate on hotspots of these diseases, which are already identified and sensitise people of those areas to keep their surroundings clean.

He also appealed to people to keep vigil and clean all the vulnerable points including coolers, containers, pots, terrace etc in the houses, offices or any places where there is a possibility of stagnation of water. He said that this is the only way to break the breeding cycle of mosquitoes, who could mature from egg to adult in just one week.

The Health Minister also directed the health officials to conduct meetings with General Public and NGOs to make them part of fight against such diseases by keeping vigil on mosquito larvae. Concerned officials were directed to enhance fogging in cities as well as villages.
(editor@dailyworld.in)