From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jul 7: Bengaluru-based Acharya Institute of Management and Sciences (AIMS) took up a unique walkthon by undertaking a door-to-door campaign to create awareness on the dangers of Dengue, Chikungunya and Malaria diseases and also to educate the people on the need to prevent the vector borne diseases.

The walkthon by the student and teachers of AIMS Institute of Higher Education started from AIMS centre in Peenya till Hesaraghatta Cross on Tumkur Road.

AIMS Principal and CEO Dr Kiran Reddy, who addressed the participants, said Karnataka alone had 1,945 cases of the 18,760 dengue cases reported in country Karnataka. There have been numerous deaths attributed to dengue.

As many as 10,952 chikungunya cases were reported in the country of which Karnataka's share was 4,047 till July 2, he said emphasising the need for creating greater awareness among the people as prevention is the best medicine in the case of vector borne diseases.

Dengue, a viral disease transmitted through the bites of female Aedes mosquitoes (vector) is characterised by fever, lymphadenopathy and rashes. It is mainly confined to tropics and subtropics, including South East Asia and Pacific.

The students said there was no specific treatment for Dengue and the best way of tackling it is to eradicate its existence, which can be done by ta tackling the carrier - Aedes mosquito. 

Malathion spray has been found useful. In addition, proper hygiene in and around the houses and avoiding collection of water in the backyard where the mosquito breeds, can really help checking this disease. 

The spread of the disease can be controlled and contained by various measures. This includes door to door survey for detection and elimination of vector breeding; intensified IEC (Information, Education and Communication) regarding ‘DO’s and ‘Dont’s for prevention of Dengue; strengthening of hospital services for management of Dengue and strengthening platelet extraction and supply facilities.

We have asked the people to keep their backyard clean and keep the breeding sites for mosquito dry. Prevention is better than cure and in the case of Dengue, prevention is the only cure. All water and air coolers should be cleaned once a week and dried out before reuse. Overhead and other water tanks in office buildings should be kept covered and if possible air tight. 

Temporary water containers/haudis used to store water for any purpose should be drained out and kept covered after refilling. Moreover, unused or broken bottles, cups, pots and tyres that can hold water should not be left in open, Kiran Reddy told the residents," Chief Administrative  Officer of Raghavendra People Tree Hospitals Bhavani.