New Delh, Sept. 7 -- The Delhi government on Monday held a workshop for councillors and public representatives on prevention and management of seasonal influenza H1N1 and dengue, with Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh calling for greater community participation to check the spread of the diseases.
The workshop, held at the Delhi Secretariat, focused on symptoms, prevention, early detection and management of the two seasonal diseases, while stressing the role of elected representatives in taking health awareness messages to every ward, neighbourhood and household.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said disease prevention cannot be limited to hospitals and healthcare workers and requires active participation at the community level.
He urged councillors to work with the Health Department and field teams to strengthen preventive measures in their constituencies.
The minister also cautioned people against unnecessary fear around H1N1, saying not every fever should automatically be associated with influenza or dengue. He also urged citizens to avoid panic and self-diagnosis and seek medical advice when required.
The workshop highlighted simple precautions against seasonal influenza, including regular handwashing, covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, avoiding close contact when experiencing respiratory symptoms and wearing masks in crowded places.
People who fall ill were advised to rest, stay hydrated and avoid taking antibiotics or other medicines without medical advice.
On dengue prevention, Singh called for sustained efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, particularly during the monsoon and post-monsoon period.
The Aedes mosquito can breed in small quantities of stagnant water, making coolers, flowerpots, rooftop containers, water tanks, discarded items and tyres potential breeding sites, the government said. Residents were advised to regularly inspect their surroundings, keep water tanks and containers covered, empty and scrub water-holding containers at least once a week and remove unused items that can collect water.
The minister also called for RWAs, schools, market associations, community organisations and sanitation teams to be involved in local prevention efforts and urged public representatives to flag issues related to construction sites, drainage and waste.
Dengue can cause high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting and skin rashes.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.