Haryana to release mosquito fish in water bodies to control larvae

The Haryana government will release mosquito fish Gambusia in water bodies in rural and urban areas to prevent and control the spread of vector-borne diseases in the state, a senior official said today.

Haryana Chief Secretary D S Dhesi said the decision is a part of measures taken to contain vector-borne diseases.

The move comes ahead of the beginning of the peak season for vector-borne diseases between mid-July and November.

Listing other measures, he said fogging machines would be purchased for all district wards and villages. He directed chief medical officers and district officers to procure the machines within 15 days through the government e-marketplace portal.

At least one fogging machine would be installed on one vehicle at district headquarters and the health department would provide medicine and calendar related to fogging, he said.

Campaigns would be launched by Urban Local Bodies Department, Panchayati Raj Department, Haryana Urban Development Authority and others to prevent and control the spread of vector-borne diseases in the state, he said.

Besides, Public Health Engineering Department would ensure repair of damaged water pipes, daily checking of booster pumps for chlorination and replacement of rusted pipes, particularly the pipes passing through drains, he said.