MCD seeks joint steps to check diseases during Games

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Saturday said coordination of various civic agencies was needed to keep the Commonwealth Games free from spread of vector and water-borne diseases.

Municipal Commissioner K.S. Mehra said there was a potential for spread of diseases such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya, cholera and typhoid due to large scale construction activities and presence of migrant labour in the city. ‘We have to be extra alert,’ he said.

Mosquitoes mostly breed in post-monsoon phase.

Municipal health officer N.K. Yadav said that in view of the Games scheduled between October 3 and 14, civic agencies should nominate a nodal officer to coordinate with the MCD to prevent such diseases.

Mehra said attention should also be paid on unauthorised colonies where the maximum number of cases are reported. He asked the irrigation and flood control department and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation to ensure free flow of water in these colonies.

He also said the civic agencies should take anti-larval measures along the bank of Yamuna river, which is a breeding ground of mosquitoes.

There is a need to keep an eye on migrant labour and their health-related activities, the municipal commissioner said, adding Delhi Jal Board should ensure increase in frequency of water supply by tankers in unauthorised areas and proper chlorination of drinking water.

‘These small measures will go a long way in preventing water borne diseases.’

MCD’s director of primary education Prem Lata Kataria said: ‘Over 1,000 nodal teachers have been designated in the civic body’s schools to coordinate efforts for prevention and control of vector and water-borne diseases’.

Around 1,000 people are infected with dengue and malaria every year, on an average basis.