MCG to double manpower for countering mosquito menace in Gurgaon

Keen to prevent an outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases, the MCG had set up 20 teams to carry out fumigation drives across the city

Seeing the spike in mosquito-borne diseases, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has decided to double its manpower and increase its machinery for carrying out fumigation drives.

Stagnant water is considered an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. (Parveen Kumar/HT FILE)

Five dengue, 23 cases of malaria, and 12 cases of chikungunya have been confirmed so far this season. As many as 80% of the cases were reported last month.

In July, the MCG had constituted 20 teams to carry out fumigation drives, anti-larvae operations and spread awareness on preventive measures against mosquito-borne diseases.

The teams were trained by health department officials for a week on measures to counter and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

It was decided that only 10 teams will be used by MCG officials to carry out drives and the rest will be kept on standby.

“Ten teams were kept on stand-by. It was decided that they will be called on in the event of an emergency. These teams have been trained in precautionary and combating measures and can start operations right away,” MCG commissioner V Umashankar said.

MCG officials also said that more hand-held fogging machines and vehicles have been procured to equip the additional teams.

Civic officials said these 20 teams will be deployed in areas where cases of mosquito-borne diseases are being reported and they have also been directed to warn residents of stiff penalties for letting water stagnate, and, in the process, aid the breeding if mosquitoes.

Read I Two more dengue cases reported in Gurgaon

The MCG has also put out helpline numbers — 1800-180-1817 and 0124-2222465 — which would be open from 9am to 5pm. Residents have been urged to call in and report mosquito-breeding sites or requisition the services of MCG officials for fumigation drives in their localities.

Residents’ welfare associations (RWAs), too, undertake fumigation drives on their own quite often. The cost of a fogging machine ranges from ₹35,000 to ₹40,000. The cost of fuel and chemicals for one-time fogging ranges from ₹1,500 to ₹1,800.

Last month, RWA’s of Sector 49 carried out fumigation drives on their own after dengue cases were reported in the area.

The health department registered 401 cases of dengue, 70 cases of chikungunya and 38 cases of malaria in 2016.