Chennai Dengue Surveillance Intensified as Intermittent Rain Raises Mosquito Breeding Risk

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has intensified dengue surveillance and mosquito control measures across all 15 zones as intermittent rain creates favourable conditions for mosquito breeding in the city.

The civic body has stepped up preventive measures following concerns over the increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases during the rainy period.

Health Officials Asked to Intensify Dengue Surveillance

At a district-level review meeting, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Dr Somasundaram directed zonal health officials to maintain close surveillance in areas reporting dengue cases.

Officials have also been instructed to strengthen source-reduction activities to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

As part of the surveillance efforts, officials will collect daily fever case reports from private hospitals. Mosquito control workers have also been asked to gather information on people with fever during their daily household visits and immediately alert health inspectors for further action and reporting.

Mosquito Breeding Sites Under Focus

The GCC has directed officials to intensify the removal of materials and areas that could become potential mosquito breeding sites.

Special attention will be given to:

- Vacant plots

- Hospital premises

- School premises

- Government offices

- Parks

- Construction sites

- Areas with stagnant water

The intensified source-reduction drive aims to prevent mosquito breeding and reduce the risk of dengue transmission following intermittent rainfall in Chennai.

GCC Urges Residents to Prevent Dengue

The civic body has also urged residents to take preventive measures at home and in their neighbourhoods.

Residents have been advised to:

- Remove accumulated waste around homes.

- Keep water tanks and wells properly covered.

- Empty stagnant water from flower-pot trays and other household containers.

- Check potential mosquito breeding spots regularly.

- Ensure stagnant water is cleared at least once a week.

With rainfall occurring intermittently across Chennai, the GCC has emphasised that eliminating stagnant water is essential to controlling mosquito breeding and preventing the spread of dengue in Chennai.

Residents are encouraged to cooperate with mosquito control woworkers and health officials during household surveillance and report areas where stagnant water or potential mosquito breeding sites are found.