Prayagraj: After more than 10 students staying in rented accomodation in Govindpur and Salori localties tested positive for dengue, the officials of health department in association with Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) have intensified a drive to eracidate mosquito breeding in 12 low lying areas of the city.A total of 14 dengue positive cases were reported in city between Sept 1 to 16 and unused coolers were found the prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes in 80% of these cases.District health authorities on Wednesday claimed to have surveyed over 10,000 houses this fortnight of month and found breeding ground of mosquitoes at 32 places. After the receding of flood water, a strict watch is being maintained in 12 low lying areas including Govindpur and Salori where a majority of students preparing for competitive exams reside.Officials claimed that apart from unused coolers, fridge defrost trays, unused water tanks on rooftop or ground, drains having sources of stagnant water and, rotten tyres are other breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The health teams asked residents to take corrective measures.Statistics of health department also revealed that there were a total 32 dengue cases detected in city between January 1 and September 16 . All patients are being treated.District Malaria Officer (Prayagraj) Dr AK Singh told TOI that, “We have been urging citizens to drain or fill places, such as potholes, in and around their residences where water collects, stands and turns breeding ground for mosquitoes (dengue larvae). Domestic unused coolers are found to be main spots behind dengue mosquito breeding ground in Govindpur and Salori area where majority of cases were detected this month.Besides, health department has taken other hotspots including CDA Pension colony, Rajapur, Shivpuri, Irrigation colony, Allahapur ,Chota Baghara and Kalindipuram under its scanner.DMO, however, said “ A two weeks special awareness campaign has already been launched in city pockets to eradicate mosquitoes breeding sites. The authorities have also been focusing on deserted plots in different parts of the city, including low-lying spots on the banks of Ganga where accumulating water often turn breeding ground. The teams are here dragging out water from pits at deserted plots.”Singh, meanwhile, said “ We have appealed residents of low lying areas to make their surrounding clean especially cleaning water holding areas in and around their houses”. Besides, teams had also cleaned scores of water accumulating/ holding spots being found in deserted plots.Dr Singh, meanwhile, said, “Efforts are being made to eradicate all spots that had turned mosquitoes breeding ground and for that, specially constituted teams are conducting survey of different wards, particularly those pockets that reported maximum dengue cases in past year.”DMO, however, said “Health department has constituted teams to check and eliminate mosquitoes breeding spots in city. “Each team included Domestic Breed Checkers (DBC), Malaria inspectors, and anti-larva worker”.DMO, however, said, “Students, preparing for competitive exams and staying in Rajapur, Baghara, Chota Baghara and Salori should ensure that there should be no accumulation of fresh water in and around their surroundings. Clogged gutters are one of the most overlooked breeding sites for mosquitoes around homes.”
