Journalism of Courage
Though Pune Municipal Corporation authorities have registered five dengue deaths since January,just recently the general body gave its approval to levy a fine of Rs 1,000 for mosquito-breeding sites found at domestic places.
Dr Vaishali Jadhav,Assistant Medical Officer of Pune Municipal Corporation,said a drive would be carried out from September 2 to check breeding spots at construction sites and other places. There are around 30,000 permanent breeding spots,she said.
Even as the general body of the PMC has given the green signal to the proposal to levy Rs 1,000,the process now involves inviting suggestions and objections from the public,following which the proposal will be sent to the state government for clearance,she added.
While awareness measures have been introduced at the ward level,the PMC has also issued more than 600 notices to various establishments after identifying the mosquito breeding spots. A majority includes construction sites,godowns and tyre workshops, said Dr S T Pardeshi,acting chief medical officer of Pune Municipal Corporation.
Intermittent rains pose a problem,as water collects in shells and tyres. Hence,management of water at households is crucial during monsoon, he added.
Dengue is caused by mosquito aedes aegypti,which breeds on stagnant water. A total of 222 samples have tested positive for dengue by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) since January. Of this,46 cases were reported between August 16 and 22. Maharashtra Joint Director (health) Dr V M Khanande said there were 1,450 cases of dengue and 23 deaths since January in the state.
Dengue control has a multi-sectoral approach and all departments have to be involved to check the spread of the vector that causes dengue. With the local civic body and state health authorities intensifying the campaign against vector-borne diseases,reporting each case has become important, he added.
