COIMBATORE: Southwest monsoon has brought the focus back on dengue and the conditions that provide a breeding ground for the aedes egypti mosquito that carries the disease-causing virus.

It is learnt that health authorities in the district, including those in the local bodies, are gearing for a long campaign till the end of this year to educate people on preventive measures. A private nursing home in Sowripalayam in the east zone of the Corporation said on Monday that four cases of dengue were reported over the last 10 days.

Preventive measures

K. Subramanian of Shanmugappriya Nursing Home confirmed that the cases were from Sowripalayam, Udayampalayam, Peelamedu and Ondipudur. All of them were young men and women and three to four cases in 10 days spoke of the need for an awareness drive on preventive measures.

Drainage canals

Dr. Subramanian said he had informed the Corporation officials of the cases in his nursing home so that the civic body could begin sensitisation programmes. Corporation workers cleared blocks in the drainage canals and removed garbage in Sowripalayam.

But, a hard long period begins for health authorities to ensure disease-free monsoons (southwest and northeast). The city and its surroundings face typical problems caused by urbanisation - staggered supply of drinking water. This, in turn, forces people to store as much water as possible in all sorts of containers. When these are not covered, the water becomes a breeding ground for the aedes egypti mosquito.

Dengue is endemic to Tirupur because of such a system that is forced on the people by rising population and poor living conditions.

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