Health Department intensifies anti-dengue and anti-chikungunya measures in Salem Corporation

Following a noticeable increase in chikungunya cases in the southern districts of the State, the Health Department has intensified anti-dengue and anti-chikungunya measures in Salem Corporation.

Recently, the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH) issued a State-wide alert directing the district administrations and urban bodies to step up monitoring and mosquito control efforts. The DPH said that there is a rise in chikungunya cases in Chennai, Villupuram, Tenkasi, Theni, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Ariyalur.

Following this, the Health Department in Salem Corporation has intensified the vector control drives.

Corporation’s health officials said they intensified source-reducing activities by ensuring water is not stored in containers for long, in accordance with DPH directions. Larval surveillance and periodic indoor fogging have been made mandatory. Residents should avoid storing water in vessels for more days and should use nets in beds and avoid self-medication if they suffer from high fever, severe joint pain, muscle aches, and extreme drowsiness. They should approach the nearby government hospitals for treatment, the officials added.

Salem Corporation Commissioner M. Elangovan said that adequate volume of bleaching powder, abate, pyrethrum, and technical malathion are in stock for anti-dengue and chikungunya measures. People should close the containers used to store water. Sanitary inspectors and malaria workers will inspect every household and remove tyres, coconut shells, and unused things, which are the main sources of mosquito breeding. People should keep their surroundings neat and clean and cooperate with the Corporation workers who are visiting residential buildings, he added.