Pune: Despite increased surveillance by the Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) Health Department, the city is witnessing a huge number of dengue patients. In the month of November alone, over 334 patients have been tested positive for dengue.
Since June 19, the Health Department has destroyed mosquito breeding grounds at over 2.60 lakh properties across Pune. Yet the breeding of mosquitoes is a growing concern, as since January 2017 till date, Pune has registered 5,612 cases of suspected dengue.
According to PMC officials, the surveillance measures are going on. Speaking to Sakal Times, Kalpana Baliwant, Head of the Insect Control Department at PMC, said that new measures are being undertaken.
“We have undertaken indoor residual spray where mosquitoes die because of poisoning. However, the ongoing moist weather and showers are very favourable for further breeding of mosquitoes. Stagnant water because of rainfall can be a good breeding ground for the dengue mosquitoes. Residents should be more vigilant about the stagnant water,” said Baliwant.
She further added that the department has introduced eight-day repetitive rounds to inspect the possible growing number of breeding grounds.
The officials further stated that once dengue mosquito breeding is found, notices are served. “After issuing notices, we randomly check the same location within 10 to 15 days. If the mosquito breeding is still found, then a fine is imposed or legal case is filed,” they added.
Another official from the department informed that fogging is used to kill adult mosquitoes infected with dengue virus.
“More residents should do fogging as a female adult mosquito lays a total of 450 eggs in her lifetime. If she is infected with dengue, then all the eggs she lays are also infected with dengue. Hence, eliminating these infected adult mosquitoes is important for which fogging is very efficient,” added the official.
Month-wise dengue cases
* Month==Confirmed cases of dengue
* January==8
* February==2
* March==4
* April==5
* May==3
* June==6
* July==58
* August==234
* September==251
* October==526
* November (till date)==334
