New Delhi, Aug 20 (IANS): Multimedia campaigns, involving resident welfare associations and ensuring adequate stock of dengue test kits in government hospitals are some of the steps that the union health ministry will carry out to keep the vector-borne disease under control this season, a statement said on Thursday.

The decision was taken by a meeting chaired by union Health Secretary B.P. Sharma to review the preparedness of the city's civic agencies to tackle dengue.

"In view of the rising number of dengue cases in the national capital region, the municipal bodies and the Delhi government officials were asked to be alert over the next two months and take measures to spread awareness about the prevention and control of dengue," the health ministry statement said.

"The Directorate General of Health Services was requested to ensure availability of adequate stock of NS1 test kits for dengue in all central government hospitals," it added.

The health secretary also urged the officials to create awareness among communities for prevention and control of dengue with the help of multimedia information, education and communication campaigns while at the same time, roping in the resident welfare associations.

"The Delhi government officials informed that awareness programmes were being held in Delhi schools to educate the children and it was suggested that similar activities could be replicated in the city as well."