Remain vigilant to contain dengue outbreaks timely: Centre to states

UNION HEALTH SECY MADE THE REMARKS WHILE CHAIRING A HIGH-LEVEL MEETING

Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra on Friday advised states and municipalities to remain vigilant to contain dengue outbreaks timely.

In a statement issued by the health ministry, Chandra also advised them to identify hotspots, increase vector surveillance and geotag cases for preventive actions.

It is important for stakeholders, including the urban development ministry, states, municipal corporations and local self-government bodies, to cooperate and work in tandem to prevent and manage dengue cases in the country, he said in the statement.

Chandra made the remarks while chairing a high-level interministerial meeting (conducted in hybrid mode) to review the dengue situation in nine high-burden states and assess the preparedness of the public health system for the prevention, containment and management of dengue, given the onset of the monsoon season.

The official highlighted the need for preemptive steps and public health measures ahead of the monsoon season when dengue cases typically peak around August, September, October, and November. He emphasised that cases have been increasing over the past four years, the statement said.