Erode Intensifies Anti-Dengue Drive Ahead of North-East Monsoon
As the North-East monsoon is poised to arrive later this month, the Erode Corporation has escalated its anti-dengue operations to curb the spread of dengue and other water-borne diseases. A notable feature of the intensified campaign is the deployment of 436 domestic breeding checkers (DBCs) who will conduct comprehensive door-to-door inspections across the city. This proactive move comes as the city readies for seasonal rains that create stagnant water, the breeding ground for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the primary dengue vector.
What the city is doing to curb dengue risk
Public health officials highlighted that the drive focuses on identifying and eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites in households and commercial establishments. DBC teams will survey properties, remove or manage stagnant water, and educate residents on preventing rainwater accumulation in everyday items such as old tyres, discarded containers, and other receptacles. When necessary, repellents are applied in and around premises to reduce mosquito contact. This multi-pronged approach seeks to interrupt the dengue transmission cycle before it peaks in the coming months.
Scale and logistics of the operation
The city, which spans 109.52 square kilometers with a population of about 4.98 lakh distributed across 60 wards in four zones, is preparing for heightened mosquito control activities. The 1,69,912 residential properties and 27,386 commercial establishments present numerous potential breeding sites during heavy rains. Each DBC is scheduled to visit roughly 50 households per day, six days a week, delivering four hours of field work. This disciplined routine enables steady coverage and rapid identification of new breeding sites should the monsoon create pockets of stagnant water.
Additional measures: fogging, cleaning drives, and hotspot focus
Alongside the DBC program, the civic body is conducting regular fogging operations and mass cleaning drives across all wards. Special attention is being given to hotspots that historically report higher fever cases, with intensified preventive measures to curb any resurgence of dengue. The collaboration between health officials and city departments ensures a coordinated response, leveraging fogging when necessary to target adult mosquitoes and reduce the immediate risk of transmission.
Role of the public and ongoing awareness
One senior health official stressed that community participation is critical to the success of the anti-dengue drive. By visiting households and commercial entities, DBC workers not only remove potential breeding sites but also raise awareness about preventive practices. Residents are encouraged to maintain clean surroundings, cover water containers, and promptly dispose of items that can hold rainwater. The effort reflects a broader public health strategy that relies on local engagement to sustain dengue prevention beyond the monsoon season.
Why this matters as monsoon approaches
The impending North-East monsoon brings frequent showers, creating ideal conditions for mosquito proliferation if unchecked. The Erode Corporation’s intensified anti-dengue operations aim to thwart outbreaks by reducing breeding grounds, educating residents, and maintaining vigilant surveillance. With a proactive stance, the city hopes to minimize dengue cases and maintain public health standards during the peak of the rainy season.
What residents can do now
Residents should actively participate in the anti-dengue drive by inspecting their premises for standing water, cleaning and covering containers, and reporting potential breeding sites to local authorities. Keeping drainage channels clear, disposing of old tyres and containers, and ensuring that rainwater does not collect in household items can make a tangible difference. Collective action, supported by DBC teams and municipal services, is essential to protecting the community from dengue and other water-borne diseases during the monsoon season.
Looking ahead
As the North-East monsoon sets in, Erode’s enhanced anti-dengue drive illustrates a proactive, organized approach to vector control. The collaboration between 436 DBCs, conservancy workers, and residents aims to maintain low transmission risk, safeguard public health, and set a model for monsoon readiness in urban centers facing similar environmental challenges.
