Public awareness should be raised and all other necessary preparations should be completed for the prevention of dengue in the state. Chief secretary Om Prakash said this while chairing a meeting on dengue prevention and control on Thursday.

He said that the lack of information and awareness in the public regarding dengue is a major reason for the spread of this disease. People should be motivated to prevent stagnant water from collecting in coolers, flower pots and old utensils in their homes. The chief secretary directed all the departments concerned to complete their preparations for prevention of dengue. Cleanliness campaigns should be conducted periodically. Due to Covid-19 schools were conducting online classes. These online classes can also be an effective medium to make the students and their parents aware. All schools should try to relay messages on dengue control through their teachers, said the chief secretary, adding that better results will be achieved by spreading awareness among children. Considering the risk of mosquitoes breeding in schools which have remained closed for a considerable time now, he said that if the situation arises wherein these institutions are opened, a sanitation campaign should be conducted before opening the schools. The directions and guidelines for prevention and control of dengue must be fully implemented, he stressed. Observing Covid appropriate behaviour, special awareness campaigns should be conducted with the help of councillors and Mohalla committees. Conducting an awareness and cleaning drive once every week, the general public should also be encouraged to undertake special cleaning at their homes weekly.The chief secretary further directed that swimming pools and fountains should be emptied in hotels and resorts closed due to Covid-19. He also directed the information department to work on spreading public awareness in coordination with the health department.