Before Games, MCD to tackle dengue and malaria

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is gearing up to battle the vector borne diseases like Malaria and Dengue during the Commonwealth Games 2010.

Vector-borne diseases are those that are transmitted to humans or other animals by an insect or other arthropod, which are typically mosquitoes or ticks.

“Vector surveillance and control measures have been strengthened in view of large-scale construction activities all over the city,” said Dr. NKYadav, medical health officer, MCD.

“The MCD has constituted 12 Sentinel surveillance teams, apart from engaging 3,500 Domestic Breeding Checkers from April 1, 2010 for strengthening vector control measures,” he said.

According to Dr Yadav, timely intervention and defogging in congested areas will help in preventing the outbreak of diseases like dengue and malaria.

“If we can start work as planned, the situation should be under control in October — the peak dengue season.”

The civic agency has also ordered additional fogging machines, sprinklers and insecticides to check breeding of mosquitoes.

“Effective control measures are needed if we really want to have an uneventful Commonwealth Games,” said Dr. Kanwar Sain, Delhi mayor.

“We also need assured political commitment and all types of assistance from the government,” he said.