Taking steps to prevent spread of vector borne diseases: TN

The Tamil Nadu government today submitted before the high court that the government was closely monitoring and taking effective steps to prevent the spread of vector borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya.
In a counter affidavit filed before the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, Principal Secretary (Health Department) Radhakrishnan said awareness campaigns were being held throughout the state through various departments.
As many as 3,225 health inspectors and 379 block health inspectors were monitoring the respective areas closely and 134 entomologists were now engaged for controlling the mosquitoes.
About 420 mobile health teams and 770 mobile health school teams were involved in the work of controlling the spread of diseases and treating them, he submitted.

Camps were being held to treat the children affected by fever in certain areas. Block level rapid response teams were also functioning to investigate the cause and take control measures.
A 24-hour control room was functioning in the directorate of public health department.

In the past eight months, 15 dengue deaths had been reported in eight dengue affected districts including Tiruppur, Erode and Tiruchirappalli, he submitted.
People's cooperation was needed to control mosquitoes. Besides death toll due to other fevers was 24 in districts not affected by dengue, the petitioner said.
The report was submitted on a direction of the Madras High Court while hearing a PIL for controlling vector borne diseases filed by K K Ramesh.

A division bench of justices K K Sasidharan and G R Swaminathan said people should also change their attitude and keep their environment clean and posted the case for further hearing to September 4.