SDMC launches 104 PA-equipped vehicles to raise awareness about dengue, malaria prevention

New Delhi, Jul 10 (PTI) As many as 104 vehicles carrying a public announcement system were launched by the south Delhi mayor today to disseminate information about the prevention of vector-borne disea

New Delhi, Jul 10 (PTI) As many as 104 vehicles carrying a public announcement system were launched by the south Delhi mayor today to disseminate information about the prevention of vector-borne diseases, the area’s civic body today said.

There are 104 wards in the south Delhi and one vehicle has been designated for each ward.

Souht Delhi Mayor Narender Chawla said these vehicles equipped with public announcement system will disseminate the message of prevention from vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria and chikungunya.

At least eight fresh cases of malaria have been reported in the first week of July in Delhi, taking the total number of people affected by the vector-borne disease in the national capital this season to 54, according to a municipal report released yesterday.

Of the 54 malaria cases, eight were reported this month, 25 in June, 17 in May, one each in April and March, and two in February.

Only three fresh cases of dengue, another vector-borne disease, were reported in the city between July 1 and July 7.

Of the total 33 dengue cases this season, three were reported in July, six in January, three in February, one in March, two in April, 10 in May and eight in June, according to the report released by South Delhi Municipal Corporation, which tabulates data on vector-borne diseases for the entire city.

“There is no treatment for dengue and chikungunya, hence, we will have to bring behavioral changes in ourselves. Breeding of aedes aegypti mosquitoes (which carry dengue virus) takes place in the clean water. So, if we clean and dry out water tanks, coolers, flower pots and utensils at least once a week then it will help in prevention,” he said.

SDMC Commissioner Puneet Goel said that it is necessary to generate awareness to combat these diseases.

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.