Thiruvananthapuram | Public participation and vigilance are essential to prevent mosquito-borne and other communicable diseases, Keralam Minister K Muraleedharan said on Thursday.
Inaugurating the state-level observance of World Mosquito Day at Vattiyoorkavu here, Muraleedharan urged the public to extend full cooperation to disease-prevention initiatives undertaken by the Health Department and local self-government bodies.
"Full participation and vigilance of the community are essential to prevent mosquito-borne diseases and control communicable diseases," the state Health and Devaswom minister said.
Muraleedharan called for strict observance of Dry Day activities in homes and institutions as part of efforts to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
Schools should observe Dry Day on Fridays, government offices on Saturdays and households on Sundays, he said.
The observance involves identifying and eliminating stagnant water sources to prevent mosquito breeding.
With diseases such as dengue continuing to spread, mosquito-breeding sites should be identified and eliminated on a priority basis, Muraleedharan said.
He urged school authorities to promptly report cases when children develop symptoms such as fever.
"Immediate reporting of disease cases to the Health Department will enable timely intervention and help prevent further spread," he said.
The minister directed hotels and roadside eateries to serve only boiled and cooled water to customers as a precaution against water-borne diseases.
He said inspections would be intensified and warned that strict action would be taken against establishments found operating in unhygienic conditions or violating the instructions.
Muraleedharan said directions had also been issued to ensure adequate stocks of medicines at all primary health centres.
Arogyakeralam State Mission Director Anu S Nair presided over the function. Health Department Director Dr Meenakshi, Additional Directors Dr Reetha K P and Dr B Unnikrishnan, and District Medical Officer Dr Bindu Mohan were among those present.
Dr Reetha administered a mosquito-eradication awareness pledge to the participants. The minister distributed prizes to winners of a live quiz competition organised as part of the programme.
