Date:11/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/11/stories/2006091112550100.htm

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State Government gears up for chikungunya-challenge

Shastry V. Mallady

62,000 cases reported; 25 per cent from Namakkal district

MADURAI: The Directorate of Public Health has come out with a common strategy for the prevention of chikungunya and dengue fever in the State.

Since the same mosquito is the vector for both the diseases, an integrated mosquito control programme is being taken up in the State involving 35,000 health workers and volunteers. Water storage points in every house will come under surveillance.

Talking to The Hindu here on Saturday, P. Padmanabhan, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said that the Government had allotted Rs. 9 crore for the prevention of chikungunya.

Ever since the first case was reported on March 20, a total of 62,000 cases of chikungunya had been officially reported. Nearly 25 per cent of the cases were from Namakkal district; but the problem was effectively addressed by domestic surveillance, he said.

Dr. Padmanabhan, who held a meeting with health officials here on Saturday, said that the strategy would be adopted for six weeks during which door-to-door mosquito eradication would be undertaken.

Containers, the culprit

Stating that artificial water containers at home were a potential mosquito-breeding source, the Director said, "Attacking the larva and interrupting its lifecycle is the best way to handle the problem." Extensive fogging was being taken up in all districts and an additional 245 fogging machines had been procured for all blocks.

According to S. Elango, Joint-Director, the effectiveness of this strategy would be assessed after six weeks. He called for involvement of people/ non-governmental organisations in tackling the chikungunya challenge.