DRIVE AGAINST DENGUE: Civil Surgeon

Hoshiarpur/ Daljeet Ajnoha/July 22 : Under the district administration and health department’s special campaign “Every Friday — Strike on Dengue”, launched on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain, a large-scale anti-larva survey and awareness drive was held today in the urban locality of Dasmesh Nagar. Civil Surgeon Dr. Mandeep Kamal personally led field teams and inspected their working methods.
Dr. Kamal told residents that preventing dengue requires public participation in addition to the health department’s efforts. He explained that Aedes mosquitoes breed in clean, stagnant water and urged every household to clear and clean places where water accumulates once a week. Such routine action, he said, can significantly control dengue.
Anti-larva teams are currently working continuously across the district, Dr. Kamal said. Health inspectors, multipurpose health workers, ASHA workers and other field staff from all CHCs and PHCs are conducting door-to-door surveys. Teams are checking coolers, cement tanks, water storage drums, refrigerator trays, flower pots, old tyres, coconut shells and other potential water-holding items. Larvae, when found, are destroyed on the spot and household members are advised on future preventive measures.
The health department will continue and intensify the campaign in the coming days, Dr. Kamal added, extending door-to-door awareness, surveys and anti-larva activities in both urban and rural areas to keep the district safe from dengue.
District epidemic specialist Dr. Jagdeep Singh appealed to residents to observe one “Dry Day” every week: empty and dry coolers and other water containers before reusing them, wear full-sleeved clothing, use mosquito nets and repellents, and visit the nearest government health facility immediately if fever, body aches or other symptoms appear. Early detection and prompt treatment, he said, can prevent serious dengue complications.
Also present were Deputy Mass Media Officer Ravinder Jassal and Balveer Kaur, Health Inspectors Sanjeev Thakur, Vishal Puri and Jaswinder Singh, multipurpose health worker Baljinder Singh, and other breeding checkers and health staff. Teams surveyed households across Dasmesh Nagar and nearby rural localities, carried out anti-larva operations, posted stickers and provided residents with detailed guidance on dengue prevention.