Rains trigger drive to prevent mosquito-borne diseases in Raj

Jaipur: Unseasonal rain has raised the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in Rajasthan, prompting the health department to launch a statewide prevention drive after 163 dengue, 35 malaria and 20 chikungunya cases were reported in the first three months of the year.The department has deployed 25,000 teams across districts for a 45-day campaign from April 1 to May 15, countering the belief that such infections spread only during and after the monsoon.A senior health official said the first phase has begun with a focus on dengue and malaria prevention, mosquito control and public awareness. "Teams have been instructed to carry out intensive field activities over the next 45 days and remain on alert," the official said.Officials linked the rise to repeated weather disturbances and rainfall creating favourable breeding conditions for the mosquitoes Teams will conduct daily anti-larval operations, inspect potential breeding sites and run awareness drives, while epidemiologists and rapid response teams have been put on alert.The department urged residents to prevent water stagnation in and around homes and take part in local anti-larval measures. The campaign will focus on source reduction, larval treatment, adult mosquito control and targeted action in areas reporting positive cases, along with larva demonstrations and social media outreach.As part of biological control, hatcheries will be activated and Gambusia fish released into permanent water bodies to curb the breeding of mosquitoes