Awareness drives on flu, dengue prevention held in schools

CHENNAI: After rise in the number of cases of dengue and flu being recorded in Chennai, the health education department of the Greater Chennai Corporation, along with the State Health Department is conducting awareness programmes on dengue and flu prevention in schools and public places.

Officials are educating people on the zonal and divisional levels to prevent outbreaks of the infections. “On the division level, sanitary inspectors conduct inspections of common mosquito breeding sites in their division and ensure spraying of insecticides is done in all the areas. On the zonal level, we have entomologists and zonal officials who conduct the awareness programme and inspect the area. The entomologists analyse the source of infection and suggest the need of hygiene measures or preventive measures in case of larval growth, " said Health Education Officer, Dr T G Srinivasan.

He added that a mobile vehicle is also being used to explain on the ways of transmission and how it can be controlled. The vehicle is equipped with microphone and LED display to educate the children through videos.

The respective zonal officials held awareness sessions for the resident welfare associations to educate the residents on removing debris, coconut shells and old tyres to prevent the accumulation of rainwater. The health education officers are also using the mobile vehicles at public places on segregation of waste and reducing the use of plastics.