The Statesman 30.04.2013
KMC launches campaign to fight malaria
KOLKATA, 30 APRIL: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has issued a series of instructions to destroy mosquito breeding grounds at homes.
KMC has launched a massive awareness campaign in every ward with active assistance of senior officials of the Health Department. Around 600 hoardings will be put up all over the city as part of he campaign.
Senior civic officials said to control malaria mosquito breeding grounds found in homes should be destroyed. People have been asked to clear overhead tanks and underground reservoir once a week. They have also been urged to repair leaks on overhead tanks as puddles that form under the tanks due to seepage of water are the biggest breeding ground for mosquitoes. The puddles can be destroyed by cleaning the portion under the overhead tanks.
Flower vase and air conditioners are potential ground for the growth of larvae and the water needs to be cleaned at least twice a week. People who store water in buckets have been asked to cover them with plastic and tie them up so that the larvae is killed due to lack of Oxygen.
The KMC has requested builders to buy Knapssek spraying machine and spray one to one-and-a-half litre of diesel and kerosene for every 50 sqm area to destroy mosquito breeding grounds at sites where buildings are coming up.
The price of each spray is around Rs 3,000 and if required KMC employees will train construction workers so they can spray repellant at the site.
Meanwhile, the KMC has started spraying mosquito repellent in drainage canals to destroy larvae of Culex mosquito. Eighteen rowing boats have been deployed for the job.
The number of people afflicted with malaria has come down in the city in the past two years.
