Rain catches Gurugram off guard on dengue plan

GURUGRAM: A meeting to discuss vector-borne diseases in view of the monsoon was postponed again even as another suspected case of dengue was reported on Friday, bringing the total number of such cases in Gurugram to 13, a senior official of the health department said.
The meeting was scheduled to take place last month, but was postponed at the last minute because of a change in the plans of the deputy commissioner.
Health department officials said a strategy was to be prepared in the meeting on how to tackle mosquito breeding and chart out a plan, given that the rains have already started.
The meeting is generally held well in advance of the monsoon season to take stock of the city’s preparedness for dealing with vector-borne diseases and suggest further measures. However, despite two days of rains, the meeting has not taken place.
The chief minister’s visit to the city on Friday is being cited as the reason why the meeting could not be held, and sources said it will now be held on July 3.
“The meeting should have taken place already or should take place soon,” said Dr Asruddin, chief medical officer of MCG for dengue, malaria and other vector-borne diseases, adding that he wasn’t invited to the meeting scheduled for Friday.
So far, 13 suspected dengue cases, including the one identified by the health department on Friday, have been reported from Gurugram so far this year. The latest case was reported from Rajiv Nagar.
Civic bodies are supposed to carry out fogging activities in places where confirmed or suspected cases are reported.
Currently, the health department team which carries out awareness drives is short-staffed, with only 21 staffers. An additional 24 people from the MCG are also coordinating with the team. To conduct fogging and awareness programmes as well as issue notices and challans regarding vector-borne diseases, more people are required, which will also be brought up in the meeting, officials said.
When approached by TOI, deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh said, “The meeting couldn’t be conducted on Friday. It will now take place on July 3.”