Public Health / Sanitation

Civic body to soon take count of city’s canines

Tuesday, 19 March 2013 04:49 administrator

The Hindu 19.03.2013

Civic body to soon take count of city’s canines

For safety’s sakeRecent cases of dogs biting children have created a sense of panic among residents —Photo: K. Pichumani.

The Chennai Corporation has decided to commence a dog census, as the data will help the civic body cope with emerging problems pertaining to the animals.

The data will help the civic body cope with emerging problems pertaining to the animals. Recent cases of dogs biting children have created panic among residents and led to a rise in the number of complaints to the Corporation.

Representatives of the animal welfare board met with civic body officials on Monday to chalk out a strategy to tackle problems associated with an estimated 1.7 lakh stray dogs and 3000 licensed pet dogs in the city.

The civic body has set a target of sterilising and vaccinating 60,000 dogs per year.

Currently, the number of dogs sterilised in the city is around 20,000 per year. The Corporation will increase the number of animal birth control centres in the city. In addition to the birth control centres in Pulianthope, Lloyds Road, Velachery and Vepery, the Corporation has identified land in Ambattur and Manali for commissioning new centres.

“We will recruit more assistant veterinary surgeons and employ more dog catchers to achieve the target of sterilising and vaccinating 60,000 dogs per year,” said a Corporation official.

After intensifying the animal birth-control drive last week, civic body officials have started focussing on analysing various factors contributing to the rise in cases of dog bites and rabies.

The city, which was reported to be rabies-free in 2009, has started to have new cases in recent years. At least one resident in 2010, five in 2011, eleven in 2012 and two in 2013 so far, have died of rabies.

“Most of the rabies cases are due to lack of awareness among residents. Residents should visit major government hospitals such as Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital or any of the peripheral hospitals after a dog bite and get free vaccination on the same day. A person should first wash the wound with soap,” said a veterinary official of the Corporation.

The Corporation will create awareness among residents on such aspects. Residents who own dogs and get a dog licence for Rs. 50 per year will be able to get free vaccination for their pets in the corporation pet centres in Pallavan Salai in Thiru. Vi. Ka Nagar, and School Road in Nungambakkam. The civic body is also planning to regulate dog breeding units in the city.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 05:00

Identifying beneficiaries of mosquito nets poses hurdle

Monday, 18 March 2013 09:20 administrator

The Times of India 18.03.2013

Identifying beneficiaries of mosquito nets poses hurdle

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation's plan to distribute free mosquito nets to the poor living near canals has run into rough weather over the selection of beneficiaries. Following a spate of dengue and malaria in the city, the corporation decided to distribute mosquito nets among slum dwellers, migrant workers and others. But the corporation has now realised that majority of the people living in shanties near canals and other water bodies do not have ration cards, address proofs or any other identification proof.

A senior corporation official said: "We have to follow a set of procedures before carrying out the distribution. But we have not finalised anything so far. We expect to distribute mosquito nets within two months." An official also said many people have encroached upon the canal banks and living there.

Experts say the civic body should ensure that the beneficiaries do not sell the mosquito nets to others and these are used for the intended purpose, hinting at possibility of mosquito nets being used for catching fish in ponds. When contacted, corporation commissioner Vikram Kapur said: "We will decide on distribution process once the procurement process attains some finality."

Doctors say the corporation should make sure that the benefit reaches to the poor who are living near canals as they are more vulnerable to diseases like dengue and malaria and invariably become the carriers of the diseases. "It's a tough task for the civic body. But the scheme should reach the poorest of poor in the city who are vulnerable to such diseases," said Dr S Elango, former director of the public health department.

The boom in the construction sector in and around Chennai has drawn thousands of migrant labourers to the city. And many of them live near water bodies to save some money from rent, without any residential proof. The mosquito menace is severe in places along the Cooum and the Adyar rivers and Buckingham, Captain Cotton, Otteri, Virugambakkam and Mambalam canals.

"It's difficult to get a house in the city. So I managed to set up a temporary shed here. Though the mosquito menace is at its peak, we don't have any other alternative," said Arul Kumar, who stays with his family near the Adyar river. "Civic workers rarely come here for fogging. Mosquito repellants are no longer effective," he said.

Social activist and former civil servant M G Devasahayam said there are possibilities of diverting the money meant for the mosquito nets to poor people. "The civic body should ensure transparency and proper accountability while distributing mosquito nets to the people," he said.

The boom in the construction sector in and around Chennai has drawn thousands of migrant labourers to the city. And many of them live near canal and river banks to save some money from rent, without any residential proof.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 04:59

North Chennai reels under mosquito menace

Monday, 18 March 2013 07:29 administrator

The New Indian Express 18.03.2013

North Chennai reels under mosquito menace

Auto driver Ismal’s two-year-old daughter is suffering from skin allergy as a result of mosquito bites | N Vajiravelu

Mosquito and Malaria have become the buzzwords of North Chennai, as the residents literally wage a war of sorts against the winged insects.

Stagnant sewage caused by overflowing drains and garbage are the major reasons for mosquitoes to breed, said residents, who alleged that the fogging operations were ineffective.

Residents of Nagura Thottam area in New Washermenpet, said that they have been trying hard to seek a solution. Ismail, an auto rickshaw driver said that his two-year-old daughter had developed skin diseases due to the mosquito bites.

“A major reason for her skin-related problems are the mosquitoes. The mosquito bites have left my child with swollen hands and knees,” he said.

Velu, a resident of Kasipuram B Block in Royapuram said, “I spent Rs 10,000 on my wife’s medical treatment for Malaria. There is a rise in the mosquito menace. The mosquitoes seem to have developed immunity to fogging. In fact, mosquitoes resurface after the operations,” he rued.

If Velu was of the view that the insects had developed immunity to fogging, an elderly woman, Pandiammal from Perambur, alleged that fogging operations were not carried out in several streets in her neighbourhood.

Women in the locality said that during the evenings and nights hundreds of mosquitoes swarm them.

Residents in Washermanpet pointed to a playground, which had turned into a dumping yard, of late. This, they said, was another breeding ground for mosquitoes.

R Chithra, a homemaker, said, “The situation turns critical during rainy days. Should residents of tenements developed by the slum clearance board put up with the menace forever?” she wondered.

Residents of Erukancherry, Vyasarpadi and Vivekanandar Nagar too complained about the unrelenting mosquito menace they faced every day. Dr Kalyanasundaram, a scientist at Vector Control Research, suggested a few simple measures to prevent the entry of mosquitoes at homes.

“People should consider mosquito proofing doors and windows in houses. They cost just a few thousands more. The additional door and window would protect houses from mosquitoes. Doors and windows must be shut between 5 pm and 7 pm, as this is the time mosquitoes normally enter houses,” he suggested.

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