Siliguri mayor initiates developmental projects
The Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) has been inaugurating a series of its own projects under the leadership of mayor Goutam Deb.
A (Darjeeling) district-level committee has been set up to monitor action being taken against dengue and to curb the spread of the vector-borne disease.
As summer sets in and swarms of mosquitoes get back to bite people, the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) has already intensified a prevention drive, months ahead of the actual summer season actually begins.
Fogging and spraying of larvaecide have started in wards under the SMC, while the civic body has said the vector-control drive will be taken throughout the year from this year onwards.
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While such drives used to be seasonal earlier, the dengue menace last year has prompted the authorities to go for prevention and awareness campaigns throughout the year.
The committee, headed by the Darjeeling district magistrate as its chairperson, comprises the district chief medical officer of health (CMOH) as the convener, deputy chief medical officer of health- II, and representatives of the SMC, the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad, Public Health Engineering, PWD and other departments.
“The committee will evaluate the anti-dengue drive, its progress, actions, and activities,” Darjeeling district chief medical officer of health Dr Pralay Acharya said.
According to the health department, 1,287 persons were affected by dengue last year, while four persons had died.
Unofficial reports, however, said that the disease claimed around 10 lives. Dr Acharya said that apart from the house-to-house survey to study fever cases and create awareness, focus was being laid on maintaining cleanliness and discourage accumulation of water.
“As part of the round the- year prevention programmes to give a push to the dengue-prevention drive, we have lined up several preventive activities. It will help us prepare the necessary plans months ahead.
Focus has been laid on cleanliness and making sure that water does not get stagnant. Preventives measures are being taken since January,” he added.
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