Daijiworld Media Network - Tiruchi
Tiruchi, Oct 4: The Tiruchi City Corporation has stepped up preventive measures against dengue, scrub typhus and leptospirosis ahead of the northeast monsoon, with field workers being trained to intensify surveillance, mosquito-control activities and public awareness.
An advisory and training session for mosquito-control workers was held on Saturday under the leadership of City Health Officer Dr M. Karthikeyan. District epidemiologist Dr P. Mathivanan and district malaria officer Dr P. Murugesan conducted the training and stressed the need for intensified surveillance and preventive measures ahead of the monsoon.
The workers were instructed to conduct door-to-door awareness campaigns and visit houses, commercial complexes and construction sites across all corporation wards. They were asked to identify and eliminate potential mosquito-breeding sources, including discarded containers, tyres and coconut shells.
Officials also directed workers to pay special attention to vacant plots, locked houses and construction sites, where breeding sources may remain unnoticed. Fever surveillance was also ordered to be intensified to facilitate early detection of suspected cases.
As part of mosquito-control measures, larvicides are to be applied in water bodies, while fogging operations will be intensified on a rotational basis. The training also covered preventive measures against scrub typhus and leptospirosis, which can pose additional health risks during the monsoon.
The Tiruchirappalli City Corporation has previously implemented dengue-control measures across its 65 wards, including identification and destruction of mosquito-breeding sites, fumigation and public awareness campaigns.
The Union Health Ministry has also emphasised integrated vector management, source reduction, disease surveillance, community awareness and capacity building of frontline workers as part of its nationwide strategy to prevent monsoon-related diseases.
Prizes were distributed to mosquito-control workers who had performed well in their duties during the programme.