Officials review monsoon preparedness, disease prevention measures

T'puram: An inter-departmental review meeting was held at the collectorate to discuss pre-monsoon cleaning drives and preparedness measures aimed at preventing the outbreak of communicable diseases during the rainy season.The meeting, chaired by additional district magistrate Nirmal Kumar G, stressed the need for coordinated action by various departments to strengthen preventive measures across the district. Officials noted that dengue fever and chikungunya cases continue to be the most reported vector-borne diseases during monsoon months. District medical officer Dr Bindu Mohan directed that pre-monsoon cleaning activities, preventive campaigns and dry day observances should begin immediately in homes, schools and offices. As part of the campaign, schools will observe dry days on Fridays, offices on Saturdays and households on Sundays to eliminate stagnant water sources that facilitate mosquito breeding. DMO pointed out that water scarcity in coastal areas forces many residents to store water in containers, increasing the risk of mosquito breeding. Unused fishing boats lying along the coast and other stagnant water sources must also be cleared regularly to prevent the spread of diseases, she said. Health officials instructed that MGNREGA workers should mandatorily consume doxycycline tablets distributed by health department to prevent communicable diseases. Anganwadis were asked to maintain hygiene while storing food items and promptly report illnesses among children to health workers. The meeting also decided to intensify cleaning activities at railway stations. Since rabies cases are increasingly linked to pet dogs, authorities said pet licensing would be made mandatory. Officials were also directed to complete cleaning works in schools before reopening, issue health cards to cooking staff and install sanitary napkin vending machines in girls' schools. Health department further announced that girls aged 14 to 15 would be administered the first dose of the cervical cancer vaccine.