The Hindu               13.06.2013

78,000 of city’s poor to get free mosquito nets

Staff Reporter

Over 78,000 persons living below the poverty line will soon be the first to get mosquito nets free of cost in the city.

The Chennai Corporation has identified the largest number of the beneficiaries in Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, where 10,801 persons live below the poverty line. A total of 7,369 beneficiaries in Tiruvottiyur, 10,462 in Tondiarpet, 10,193 in Royapuram, 5,039 in Ambattur, 1,621 in Anna Nagar, 8,441 in Teynampet, 3,113 in Kodambakkam, 1,173 in Valasaravakkam, 1,215 in Alandur, 9,243 in Adyar, 6,319 in Perungudi and 3,195 in Sholinganallur have been shortlisted by the Corporation in the first phase of distribution of mosquito nets. No beneficiaries have been identified in Manali and Madhavaram so far.

The Corporation recently called for expression of interest from manufacturers to facilitate the distribution of the nets to poor residents living along the city’s waterways. Each of the polyethylene mosquito nets are expected to be procured at Rs. 150.

The holes in the netting will have a diameter of about 2 mm and provide an effective barrier to Anopheles mosquitoes. The nets will prevent vector entry and will not lose their dimensional stability after washing. Made with strong seams, they will retain their strength for many years and ensure safety for users, officials said.

The Corporation council, a few months ago, passed a resolution to distribute mosquito nets to residents along 16 minor and major waterways, including the Cooum and Adyar rivers and the Buckingham Canal. The move followed reports that fogging operations were not effective in tackling mosquitoes in areas near the waterways.

The first phase of distribution is likely to be approved at the next council meeting. Health department officials said the initiative is likely to be the most cost-effective way of battling the mosquito menace without affecting the environment.

Civic body has identified largest number of the beneficiaries living along waterways in Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar.

The Hindu              12.06.2013

Rains are here, mosquitoes loom

Special Correspondent

The intermittent showers of the past couple of days might have brought cheer to residents. However, the stagnant pools of water in and around residential areas are a grim reminder that a horde of mosquitoes could soon descend on residents.

“Already, there are small pools in my area. Water has been stagnant for last two to three days,” said Siva, a resident of Vyasarpadi. A similar situation prevailed in areas across the city and residents such as Abdul Haleem of Pensioners Lane in Mint expressed the hope that “mosquito control measures will be initiated as early as possible to prevent mosquito breeding.”

Chennai Corporation officials said that routine anti-larval spraying on water bodies and drains and periodical fogging was being taken up. “We have initiated a major programme to remove all the garbage and weeds from water bodies including those belonging to the PWD. If you compare the situation with that of last year, there is a substantial decrease in the density of mosquitoes and larva,” said a source.

Officials of the Directorate of Public Health said mid-term action plan has been prepared in each district. “The plan encompasses monitoring various aspects such as disease surveillance at all primary health centres, government hospitals and medical colleges and private nursing homes and monitoring of mosquito density,” an official said.

The department will prioritize areas, which were affected last year, and identify hot spots within the areas. “This way, we will tighten the surveillance net and create awareness among the public of vector-borne diseases,” he added.

There is adequate stock of larvicide to carry out control measures, said.