BMC launches awareness programme on dengue and malaria

Berhampur (Odisha): Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched an awareness programme to arrest the spread of vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.

A chariot, Nidhi Rath, is the star attraction of the campaign.

BMC mayor K Madhavi flagged off the chariot in the presence of corporation officials yesterday.

Though no dengue cases have been reported in the town so far this year, waterlogging in the low-lying areas have been a cause of concern.

BMC officials stressed the need to clean drains and waterlogged areas to destroy mosquito larvae. Besides launching the awareness programme, the civic body also sprayed insecticides at certain areas, said a corporation health official.

According to official sources, as many as 42 dengue cases were reported in Berhampur town as against 143 in the entire Ganjam district last year. "We have not received a single dengue case from the town this year," said district malaria officer U S Mishra.

The main reason for spread of dengue, chikungunya, malaria and Japanese Encephalitis is stagnation of water, which helps the spread of infection, said a medical officer of the social medicine department, MKCG Medical College and Hospital here.