BBMP to conduct larva survey in 14 lakh households to destroy dengue breeding grounds
With Bengaluru reporting a two-fold rise in dengue cases compared to the same period last year, BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Girinath – who himself got infected with the viral infection …
Bengaluru: Possibly for the first time, the city’s municipal corporation has decided to visit half of Bengaluru’s households for a larva survey to mitigate the threat of dengue.
The BBMP will also procure 38,000 NS1 antigen kits from the Drugs Control Department to screen those showing dengue symptoms.
With Bengaluru reporting a two-fold rise in dengue cases compared to the same period last year, BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Girinath – who himself got infected with the viral infection last week – told reporters that the administration was stepping up preventive measures. Intermittent rains could be the reason for the spread of the dengue virus, Girinath said.
We have created one block for every 1,000 households. A team of health inspectors, Asha workers, NSS volunteers, and nursing students will visit 14 lakh houses located in slums, densely populated areas, and low-lying areas. The aim is to destroy mosquito breeding grounds and collect samples of people suffering from fever,” the BBMP chief said.
The plan was chalked out during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, he said. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao will hold another review meeting on the dengue situation in the city on Thursday.
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Official data showed that 5,300 cases were reported in the state from January to June. 1,230 cases were found in Bengaluru. Though five people have succumbed to the infection in the state, no dengue death has been reported in Bengaluru so far.
Apart from the survey, the civic body has also asked officials and engineers to destroy larval breeding points in their jurisdiction.
Internally, we will observe Friday as a ‘dry day’. “Zonal commissioners, engineers, and staff from various departments, including solid waste, stormwater drains, and lakes, have been asked to clean areas that become mosquito breeding centers,” Girinath said. And fogging has been asked to be done.” The places covered in the survey include Bellandur, CV Raman Nagar, New Thippasandra, Konanda, Abbige, Adugodi, Subramanyanagar, Amrithalli, MS Palya and Konanakunte. Official records show that Mahadevapura and eastern areas have reported the highest number of dengue cases.
