A common proposal for prevention of chikungunya and dengue fever in the state has been brought out by the Directorate of Public Health.
Aedes aegypti, mosquito is the common carrier of both chikungunya causing virus and dengue causing virus. Hence, the state has taken up an integrated mosquito control programme involving 35,000 health workers and volunteers. All the water storage areas in every house will be examined.According to P. Padmanabhan, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Rs. 9 crores has been allotted by the Government for chikungunya prevention.
Totally, 62,000 chikungunya cases have been officially reported since the first case in March, of which almost 25% were from Namakkal district. However, the problem was successfully tackled by domestic surveillance, he said.
According to Dr. Padmanabhan, the plan will be carried out over a period of 6 weeks, in which door-to-door mosquito eradication would be undertaken. All water storing areas is being treated with Temephos liquid.
Stating that artificial water containers at home were a potential mosquito-breeding source, the Director said, "Attacking the larva and interrupting its lifecycle is the best way to handle the problem. Extensive fogging was being taken up in all districts and an additional 245 fogging machines had been procured for all blocks."
The efficacy of this strategy would be assessed after 6 weeks, said the Joint-Director S. Elango. It is essential for people and non-governmental organizations to involve in the task of eradicating chikungunya, he said.
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