Date:19/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/19/stories/2006101903840800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

`Operation dengue' to eradicate mosquitoes

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Wednesday announced the launch of `Operation dengue' to eradicate mosquitoes in the State in three years.

After reviewing the situation with Collectors at a meeting here, Dr. Reddy announced release of Rs. 40 lakh to each district.

This would be for waging a "war against mosquitoes", identified as the cause for outbreak of dengue, chikungunya and malaria. But there was no let-up in the incidence of dengue.

Eighteen suspected fresh cases came to light, with two of them confirmed, taking the number of those affected to 144. The confirmed cases reached 66 but the toll remained at eight.

Dr. Reddy and Health Minister K. Rosaiah told reporters later that as part of the action plan to combat the disease, special wards would be opened in all district headquarters and teaching hospitals and diagnostic facilities provided at medical colleges as well.

Twentyfive jeeps were being provided to each district to pick up patients. Blood banks had been asked to store more blood as dengue patients would lose blood by way of haemorrhage.

Short of declaring a medical emergency, the Chief Minister asked Collectors to fill all vacant doctor posts, and involve private doctors (through IMA), nurses, NSS volunteers/NCC cadets, members of Lions and Rotary clubs in the massive task.