Urban News

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Public Health / Sanitation

Dengue to go off the radar by December 15

Saturday, 07 December 2013 10:10 administrator
Print PDF

The Times of India               07.12.2013

Dengue to go off the radar by December 15

CHANDIGARH: Dengue threat will fade away from the city in the next 10 days , say health experts, asserting the disease is less damaging this year as only 99 positive cases are reported till date as compared to 360 in the same period last year.

"Records of daily surveys have proved dengue-causing mosquito, Aedes Aegypti, will cease to exist by December 15," says Dr Anil Garg, assistant director, malaria, UT administration.

Dengue mosquitoes breed in fresh water, making larvae in water collected in tyres, tubes, flower pots or coolers. "We had been holding awareness programmes and more than the issuing challans, we emphasised on control of breeding of these mosquitoes. This year the figures are one-third to that of the last year and without any mortality," adds Dr Garg. Experts believe it is now the season for culex mosquito, which does not cause any disease. "It is a mosquito which is a nuisance due to its bite. It will breed soon. Malaria and dengue are expected to decline in the days to come," says Garg.

In 2012, the figures for dengue cases had crossed 100 and spiralled to 300 in just two months. "The dengue figures vary from year to year. Previous years saw a pattern of decline and increase also. This season it was of decline," says a UT health official.

Symptoms of dengue include fever accompanied by severe headaches, muscle and joint pains and rashes. Dengue is also characterised by abdominal pain, persistent vomiting and difficulty in breathing. High-risk patients include children, elderly, pregnant women and immuno-compromised.

Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which spreads dengue through its bite, breeds in stagnant water, biting only in the day. 

 

GMC bid to keep city clean

Saturday, 07 December 2013 10:07 administrator
Print PDF

The Times of India               07.12.2013

GMC bid to keep city clean

GUWAHATI: The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has taken the initiative to take part in cleaning work of the city besides engaging private firms.

On Friday, GMC Mayor Abir Patra formally launched a Rs 5.65-crore project and sought cooperation from public for its success. "We have decided to do it ourselves as Ramky Enviro Engineering failed to live up to the expectations of people. I think we can succeed in the mission only if the people cooperate with us. They also need to follow certain norms to keep the city clean as Guwahati belongs to each and everybody who resides here. We often see people throwing dirt here and there. That habit has to be given up," Patra said after formally launching the project.

On November 2008, the management of entire municipal solid waste (MSW) of the city was handed over to Ramky Enviro Engineering but complaints continued to be piled up against the firm.

"To begin with, we will collect garbage at 6.30 am and 8 am before the traffic starts jamming the streets. Later, it will be done in three shifts," said GMC commissioner S Viswanathan. Besides, 1000 litter bins will be placed on the streets to collect garbage.

 

PMC’s canine sterilisation was on hold for 5 months

Saturday, 07 December 2013 09:33 administrator
Print PDF

The Times of India               07.12.2013

PMC’s canine sterilisation was on hold for 5 months

PUNE: The civic body's dog sterilization programme was stuck for five months this year, with the civic body awarding the tender to carry out the task only in September.

While the civic body floated the tenders for the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme in April, it awarded the contracts in September this year, said Darshana Mazumdar, coordinator for the Pune Federation of Animal Protection Organizations (PFAPO). She said the long gap in the programme had undone a lot of what had achieved.

"Yes, there were some delays in the process, because it had to be retendered," said Anjali Sabane, deputy medical officer of health, Pune Municipal Corporation, who claimed that the system was functioning smoothly now.

Sabane said Rs 70 lakh was allocated for the programme this year, nearly double of previous years' allocation. The infrastructure has also been improved. Two additional dog-catching vans have been pressed into service.

Currently, sterilization are carried out at two shelters — the dog pound near the Naidu Infectious Diseases Hospital and the Blue Cross Society's facility in Mundwa.

Activists said citizens need to get involved to make their neighbourhoods safe. Sushma Date, who has organized a citizens' initiative in Deccan Gymkhana and got 270 dogs sterilized in two years, said people should help dog-catchers identify dogs in their area. 

 
More Articles...


Page 53 of 416