157 dengue cases reported in 15 days

With Mumbai witnessing a spurt in dengue cases, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which started a dengue prevention campaign three days ago, has begun work on a war footing.

War footing: In a bid to restrict rising dengue cases in the city, BMC has increased fogging in slum areas. File pic

The work began as the BMC feared that the October heat is facilitating breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito (dengue mosquito) in the city. Keeping in mind that nearly 647 dengue cases were reported, wherein four people, including Chopra, have died since January this year, and 157 cases alone of these 647 were reported in the past 15 days, the civic body started the awareness campaign and roped in around 1,700 community health volunteers.

The BMC's insecticide department is also coordinating with officials at all ward levels to ensure fogging is conducted on a daily basis. Ward officials are also visiting slum areas and ensuring that stored water is treated with vector-control insecticides. Advanced Locality Management (ALMs) networks are also conducting awareness campaigns to make people aware about dengue and its symptoms.

Executive Health Officer, BMC, Dr Arun Bamne said, "We are undertaking all important measures that need to be taken. The campaign has started and we are hoping that our efforts reduce the chances of people contracting dengue. We are also conducting awareness camps every Sunday to educate the public about dengue."u00a0