Epidemic prevention to be strengthened through coordination committees in Keralam

Coordination committees, chaired by District Collectors, will be formed to strengthen local-level prevention of epidemic diseases such as dengue and chikungunya.

The Principal Secretary (Health) has been tasked to take necessary steps regarding this, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan announced after the epidemic review meeting here on Monday.

The meeting also directed that committees be formed at the grassroots in local bodies, by including councillors/panchayat members, residents’ association office-bearers, and health workers. Dengue hotspots will be identified and mosquito control activities, among other measures, will be intensified.

To prevent water stagnation from intermittent rains and to eliminate mosquito breeding, Dry Day should be observed on Fridays in educational institutions, on Saturdays in workplaces, and on Sundays in households, wherein all potential breeding sources for mosquitoes should be eliminated. An action plan will be prepared for this in consultation with the Local Self-Government Minister.