Intensify fogging, BBMP officials told

Intensify fogging, BBMP officials told

Laiqh A. Khan
Ashok asks officials to take 300 more people for the job
199 cases of chikungunya reported this year

One person died of dengue fever so far this year

BANGALORE: To prevent the outbreak of vector-borne diseases like chikungunya and dengue fever, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will intensify fogging and spraying operations in various parts of the city, particularly the localities prone to such epidemics.

Transport and Bangalore South in-charge Minister R. Ashok told presspersons after convening a meeting of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials, including Commissioner Bharat Lal Meena, here on Wednesday that he had directed the municipal authorities to appoint about 300 personnel on a temporary basis to assist 95 personnel to carrying out intensive fogging and spraying operations in the city.

“The existing manpower is insufficient to carry out fogging and spraying operations on such a scale. So, I have asked the BBMP to appoint additional personnel on a temporary basis,” he said.

He said the BBMP authorities had demarcated 365 health wards out of 147 in the city.

The authorities have been directed to identify areas that are prone to outbreak of chikungunya and dengue in the city so that attention was given to such areas.

So far, 199 confirmed cases of chikungunya had been reported from different parts of the city since January 1. “Although 600 suspected cases of chikungunya were reported, only 199 have been confirmed,” he said.

Only one case of dengue had been reported so far this year and the person afflicted with dengue had died, he added. Similarly, Mr. Ashok said steps had been taken to prevent outbreak of cholera. “The BBMP and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officials will be asked to co-ordinate among themselves to ensure that sewage water is not mixed with drinking water,” he said.

The Minister said he had asked the BBMP Commissioner to convene a meeting of personnel from Health and Engineering Department to clear the drains. “The personnel from the two wings of the BBMP should coordinate among themselves so that drains are not clogged. For, it is the stagnating water in the drains that helps breed mosquitoes and spreads the diseases,” he said.

Mr. Ashok said he had directed the officials concerned to ensure that sufficient stock of medicine required to treat chikungunya, dengue and cholera were available in government hospitals.

“I have asked for details on the medicine stock. In case of any shortage in medicine, the BBMP Commissioner should be kept informed,” he said.