Latest news with #DengueTeVaar
Hindustan Times
02-08-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Dengue larvae detected in 23 schools, 61 houses
Dengue larvae have been found in 23 schools and 61 houses during a large-scale inspection drive conducted by the health department across Ludhiana district, officials said. The week-long campaign, led by 521 health teams, covered 851 schools and 29,747 houses. In total, 51,445 water-holding containers were inspected, of which 147 were found having dengue mosquito larvae. The drive is part of the health department's ongoing campaign titled 'Har Shukravaar – Dengue Te Vaar' (Every Friday – fight dengue). (HT Photo) The teams focused on high-risk areas such as school campuses, rooftops, overhead water tanks, air coolers, flower pots and vacant plots—common breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Dr Vivek Kataria, assistant civil surgeon, said, 'Finding mosquito larvae in educational institutions and homes is a serious concern. This underlines the urgent need for greater public awareness and participation. Dengue cannot be prevented by government initiatives alone. It requires consistent community action.' Immediate larvicide spraying was carried out in all locations where larvae were found, and strict cleanliness advisories were issued to the institutions and residents concerned. The drive is part of the health department's ongoing campaign titled 'Har Shukravaar – Dengue Te Vaar' (Every Friday – fight dengue), which urges citizens, schools, and offices to dedicate every Friday to cleaning their premises and eliminating stagnant water sources. District epidemiologist Dr Sheetal Narang said, 'The dengue mosquito breeds in clean, stagnant water and bites during the daytime. Cleaning all water sources at least once a week is essential. During this campaign, teams not only conducted inspections but also provided door-to-door awareness about prevention practices. Awareness remains the most powerful tool.'
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Health officials flag mosquito breeding in city schools, homes
1 2 Ludhiana: With dengue a major scare for Ludhiana in the monsoon, the health department conducted a large-scale inspection drive across the district on Friday, targeting high-risk areas and raising public awareness. Officials detected mosquito breeding in several locations and took immediate action. A total of 29,747 houses, 851 schools, and 51,445 water-holding containers were inspected by 521 health teams. Dengue larvae were found in 147 containers, including 23 schools and 61 houses, confirming the presence of breeding grounds for the dengue mosquito. The inspections focused on school campuses, residential colonies, vacant plots, overhead tanks, coolers, flower pots, and rooftops—areas most susceptible to mosquito breeding. Wherever larvae were detected, health teams conducted larvicide spraying and issued cleanliness advisories to the institutions and households concerned. Dr Vivek Kataria, assistant civil surgeon, emphasised the gravity of the findings. "Discovering mosquito larvae in schools and homes is alarming. It highlights the urgent need for public awareness and shared responsibility. Dengue prevention cannot rely solely on government action—it requires active community participation." To promote sustained efforts, the department has launched a weekly campaign titled 'Har Shukravaar – Dengue Te Vaar', encouraging households, schools, and offices to clean their premises every Friday. "This simple habit can become our first line of defence against dengue," Dr Kataria added. Dr Sheetal Narang, district epidemiologist, explained that the dengue mosquito breeds in clean, stagnant water and bites during the day. "Cleaning all water sources at least once a week is essential. Our teams also conducted door-to-door awareness drives to educate residents on prevention practices," she said. Between 8am and 10am, health teams inspected 262 government and private schools and 12,907 urban households. Senior programme officers and malaria wing field teams played a critical role in ground-level monitoring and response. The health department has urged all citizens to actively support the campaign and help make Ludhiana a dengue-free district. MSID:: 123042366 413 |
Hindustan Times
27-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Civic body acted on only 111 of 806 dengue challans: Officials
The ongoing anti-dengue campaign in Ludhiana has hit a roadblock as the health department has issued 806 challans for breeding spots identified on private properties since late May, but the municipal corporation has acted on only 111 of these. The delay in enforcement is raising concerns about the effectiveness of the city's anti-dengue efforts, especially as the monsoon season continues to provide ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. An inspection being carried out by health department officials in Ludhiana as part of the 'Har Sukarvaar, Dengue Te Vaar' campaign, launched by state health minister Dr Balbir Singh. (HT Photo) Under the 'Har Sukarvaar, Dengue Te Vaar' campaign, launched by state health minister Dr Balbir Singh, the health department has been inspecting various areas to identify and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites, issuing fines to property owners who fail to prevent such conditions. These challans are then forwarded to the municipal corporation, which is responsible for levying the fines. Since the anti dengue drives began late May, the department till 21 July had issued 806 challans. But they have received action reports for 111 cases. Despite the health department's proactive efforts, the municipal corporation has yet to take action on 695 of the 806 challans issued by health officials. Dr Vipan Malhotra, health officer of the municipal corporation, stated that he was aware of 188 challans, with actions already taken on 111, but no official report had been filed as of yet. District epidemiologist, Dr Sheetal Naranag, however, maintained that the challan information was regularly sent to the municipal corporations and confirmed that all the challans till 21 July— 806 in total— were shared with the municipal corporations. 'We have sent details of the challans issued so far. It is for the municipal corporation to take cognisance of those and take action,' she said. This slow response has raised alarms among health officials, who argue that such delays are undermining the broader goal of reducing dengue cases by 90% this year. With only 10 dengue cases reported so far this season compared to 300 last year, the health department had set an ambitious target, but lax enforcement could jeopardise these efforts. A health official, on the condition of anonymity, even alleged that the civic body officials didn't maintain a proper communication channel to apprise them of the actions taken regularly. Officials are now urging the municipal corporation to take immediate action on the pending challans to prevent a potential spike in dengue cases as the rainy season progresses.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana district reports 5 dengue cases, health dept launches weekly drive
With the arrival of monsoon, dengue cases have started surfacing in the district, with five positive cases reported so far, raising early concerns among health officials. The health department has intensified preventive efforts to contain the potential spread of the mosquito-borne disease. (HT Photo) The health department has intensified preventive efforts to contain the potential spread of the mosquito-borne disease. District epidemiologist Dr Sheetal Narang said stagnant water during monsoons becomes a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes, the primary carriers of dengue. 'Even a spoonful of stagnant water is enough for mosquito larvae to develop,' she said. Common breeding spots include discarded tyres, flowerpots, open water containers, and coolers. To tackle the issue, the health department is running a weekly campaign titled 'Har Shukarvaar, Dengue Te Vaar', focusing on public awareness and elimination of breeding grounds. 'We urge residents to check their surroundings every Friday and remove any standing water,' Dr Narang said. Health minister Dr Balbir Singh, who was in Ludhiana on Monday, said teams are conducting door-to-door inspections to identify and destroy mosquito breeding sites. The minister appealed to the public to cooperate fully with health officials and follow preventive measures. 'The goal is to reduce dengue cases by 90% this year, after achieving a 50% drop last year,' he said. Last year, the district reported around 300 dengue cases during the monsoon season. To prevent the spread of dengue, Dr Narang advised people to regularly clean and empty all containers that collect water, such as birdbaths, vases, pet bowls, and tyres. Water storage units like drums and buckets should be tightly covered. She also recommended the use of mosquito repellents during daytime hours. Three new Covid cases lodged, tally up to 76 Three new COVID-19 cases were reported in the district on Tuesday, taking the tally to 76 so far. The new cases include three men aged 20,41, and 57. All of them are reported to be either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. Of the total 76 cases reported so far, only 20 are positive at present. While 17 of these are in home isolation, three patients are reported to have been hospitalised, while 53 people have recovered so far. Three people have died of the new Covid variant so far in Ludhiana.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Punjab health minister inspects civil hospital
Jun 24, 2025 05:40 AM IST Health and family welfare minister of Punjab, Dr Balbir Singh reached the civil hospital here on Monday to inspect the facilities and assess the quality of services at the facility. Punjab health minister Balbir Singh interacting with patients in Ludhiana on Monday. (HT Photo) During the inspection, the minister took serious note of recent incidents of theft, including the stolen cover of water tanks, allegedly removed with malicious intent. Expressing strong disapproval, the minister immediately directed police officials to take swift action and ensure the culprits are arrested at the earliest. He emphasised a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of malpractice or negligence in public health institutions. Dr Balbir toured various wards during the visit, interacting with patients and their families to gather firsthand feedback on hospital services. He assured them of the government's commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring accessible, quality treatment for all. Issuing a stern warning against corruption, the health minister declared, 'If any employee is found taking bribes for work, strict disciplinary action will be taken immediately.' He urged hospital staff to uphold integrity and reminded them, 'This is your hospital, and it is your responsibility to run it with honesty and dedication.' He instructed the hospital authorities to ensure that all facilities are well-maintained and that patient care remains the top priority. Speaking on dengue prevention, the minister stated that health department teams are actively conducting door-to-door inspections to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and raise awareness about symptoms and preventive measures. He appealed to the public to actively participate in the 'Har Shukarvaar, Dengue Te Vaar' campaign and follow departmental instructions to help curb the spread of the disease.
