240 health inspectors, 700 volunteers deployed for dengue control: Health Minister

Bengaluru

In an effort to strengthen dengue prevention, 240 health inspectors and 700 volunteers have been deployed across Bengaluru, announced Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao during the National Dengue Day observance in the city today.

Speaking at the state-level National Dengue Day programme, the minister said that 40 to 50 percent of dengue cases in Karnataka are being reported from Bengaluru alone, and hence, heightened precautionary measures are crucial.

Under the campaign titled "Check, Clean, Cover", the Health Department, in collaboration with BBMP, has launched an aggressive initiative to prevent mosquito breeding. The drive focuses on public spaces and water stagnation points, which are prime breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes, the carriers of dengue.

“Public participation is essential,” said the minister. “Only when individuals prioritize cleanliness and follow safety protocols, can dengue be effectively controlled.”

Minister Gundu Rao also emphasized the goal of making Bengaluru a dengue-free city, calling upon volunteers, ASHA workers, and health personnel to work collectively towards better public health.

Earlier in the day, the minister visited households in Kumbargundi locality under Chikpet constituency, raising awareness about dengue prevention. He informed residents that Aedes mosquitoes typically breed in clean, stagnant water, such as overhead tanks, open containers, old tyres, and coconut shells.

He advised people to maintain cleanliness in and around their homes, especially in potential mosquito breeding spots. "With community support, we can bring dengue under full control," he concluded.