Ahmedabad civic body issues 108 notices, seals two sites in mosquito-control drive

Ahmedabad, Aug 21 (IANS) The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) sealed two premises and issued notices to 108 establishments during inspections carried out across the city as part of measures to prevent mosquito-borne diseases, officials said on Friday.

The sealed premises were Ashirwad Levais in Lambha ward of the South Zone and a Rain Basera construction site in Sarkhej ward of the South West Zone.

The action was taken during inspections of commercial establishments, construction sites and other units by teams of the AMC’s Vector-Borne Disease Control Branch.

The civic body said a total of 612 establishments were checked during the drive. Administrative charges totalling Rs 2,53,800 were recovered from establishments found liable for violations, while notices were issued to 108 units.

The inspections were conducted across different wards by officials including Deputy Municipal Commissioners, Assistant Municipal Commissioners, Health Officer, Deputy Health Officers, Assistant Entomologists, Junior Assistant Entomologists and personnel from the Health Department and other civic departments.

The drive was part of the AMC’s World Mosquito Day activities, observed on August 20 every year to raise awareness about mosquito-borne diseases.

“The main objective of the awareness activities was to educate residents about the causes and prevention of mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika and filariasis,” officials said.

As part of the programme, officials inspected various AMC premises, including Sardar Patel Bhavan, Pandit Deendayal Auditorium, fire stations, muster stations, Urban Health Centres, water distribution centres, AUDA markets and construction sites, besides residential areas such as Bharti Society, Shiv Shakti Nagar and Bansi Ni Chali.

Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities were conducted in 314 residential areas and covered 7,213 people. The highest number of such activities was recorded in the East Zone with 69, followed by the West Zone with 57 and the South Zone with 49.

A total of 7,213 health educational pamphlets were distributed across the city. The Malaria Department also organised 112 mosquito-larvae demonstration camps at public places.

Awareness programmes were conducted in residential areas in all 48 wards under the leadership of municipal councillors, focussing on preventing mosquito bites and reducing breeding sites.

The civic body also appealed to residents to make use of municipal services and seek immediate medical diagnosis if anyone develops fever, followed by the complete course of prescribed treatment, particularly in cases of suspected malaria.

As part of preventive measures, residents were advised to prevent water from accumulating in and around their homes, regularly clean and dry coolers, bird pots, old tyres, flower pots and other open containers, use mosquito nets while sleeping, wear full-sleeved clothing outdoors and use mosquito repellents or suggested natural repellents.

The AMC also advised residents to observe a weekly ‘Dry Day’ by emptying and cleaning all water containers.

“Intensive mosquito-control activities are also carried out at government and private premises and residents and establishments must regularly check their premises for mosquito breeding sites,” officials emphasised.

–IANS

mys/rad