Thane, Jul 10 (PTI) The Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation has begun dengue prevention measures after a 31-year-old man died on Thursday of the mosquito-borne disease, an official said.
Vilas Bhagwan Mhatre, a resident of Beturkar Pada in Kalyan West, was admitted to Rukminibai Hospital on July 7. Though doctors recommended his transfer to Mumbai's Sion Hospital, his relatives admitted him to a private hospital where he died, the official said.
"The KDMC medical health department has launched an extensive campaign for dengue prevention. Treatment for dengue patients is being provided at Shastri Nagar Hospital, Bai Rukminibai Hospital, four other hospitals, 26 urban health centres, health promotion centres, and Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Apna Hospital. KDMC is conducting awareness programmes involving NGOs, ward officials, and students," a civic release said.
"Educational pamphlets, posters, and banners are being distributed, and group discussions and meetings are organized in different wards. To eliminate breeding grounds, multipurpose health workers are inspecting flower pots, bamboo plants, fish tanks, and other water-collecting items. If mosquito nests are found, the containers are emptied and treated with repellents," the release added.
KDMC has also issued notices to construction sites and housing societies, demanding measures to prevent water stagnation, it said.
"All societies have been asked to ensure water does not collect on terraces, in old tyres, broken pots, or near water tanks. Tight covers must be placed on all tanks," the release said.
Additionally, instructions have been given to sanitation inspectors to carry out fumigation, spraying, oiling, and fogging at closed construction sites under KDMC jurisdiction, the release said.
KDMC medical health officer Dr Deepa Shukla said citizens must set aside one day in a week to clean, dry, and disinfect water containers at home in order to prevent mosquito breeding.