Daijiworld Media Network - Patiala

Patiala, Nov 11: The Health Department has intensified its anti-dengue campaign in Patiala, with special inspection drives conducted in hotspot and slum areas on Tuesday. Mosquito larvae were detected and destroyed at several locations as part of efforts to prevent the spread of dengue.

Health Department teams inspected houses and surrounding areas in Guru Nanak Nagar, Rajpura Colony, Khalsa Mohalla and Bharat Nagar. Larvae found during the inspections were destroyed immediately, while larvicide was sprayed in stagnant water to prevent mosquito breeding.

Civil Surgeon Dr Sally Jaitley urged residents to maintain cleanliness around their homes and ensure that water does not accumulate in empty containers, coolers, flower pots and other household items. She appealed to the public to cooperate with the department in preventing the spread of dengue.

District Epidemiologist Dr Gurpreet Kaur said the prevailing weather conditions were favourable for mosquito breeding. She advised residents to avoid water stagnation and keep their surroundings clean. People experiencing high fever and body aches were advised to undergo dengue testing.

The department has planned anti-dengue activities covering 18,235 houses across the district this week. Of these, 12,854 houses have already been surveyed, with mosquito larvae detected at 9,289 locations. The larvae were destroyed on the spot, and the families concerned were educated about preventive measures.

The Health Department is also seeking the cooperation of social workers, village health committee members and representatives of the Rural Development and Panchayats Department to strengthen the campaign and ensure effective prevention of dengue.