Greater Chennai Corporation Council delegates power to entomologists to prevent mosquito-borne diseases

Owing to a rise in complaints about vector borne diseases and zoonotic diseases in the city, Chennai Corporation Council on Friday passed a resolution delegating powers to the Chief Vector Control Officer (CVCO) to procure larvicides and adulticides to control mosquitoes and appointment of additional entomologists for prevention of the spread of malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, encephalitis, scrub typhus and leptospirosis.

The CVCO has been empowered to procure larvicides and adulticides and fogging machines, sprayers. The GCC has also delegated power to the CVCO to fill vacancies to various posts including malaria control workers under compassionate grounds. The CVCO will also have powers to transfer workers in the GCC zones for improving vector control operations.

The CVCO will start purchase of larvicides temephos 50% E.C., mosquito larvicide oil and biolarvicide and insecticides pyrethrum 2% extract, malathion technical 95% grade, propoxur E.C., propoxur granules, lemongrass oil, vector control kits, fogging machines, sprayers and accessories.

The GCC Council on Friday passed another resolution to appoint entomologists at the regional offices of Chennai Corporation for strengthening mosquito control and pest control across the city.

At a meeting conducted on February 7, Chennai Corporation Commissioner J.Kumaragurubaran suggested the appointment of senior entomologists in each region of Chennai Corporation. The Regional Entomologists will submit reports to the regional deputy commissioners about malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, encephalitis, scrub typhus and leptospirosis and take measures to promote public health in affected zones. The Regional Entomologists will get inspection vehicles with drivers, data entry operators and office assistants to strengthen vector control in the city.

Pointing to the role played by the Vector Control department, the civic body has announced that vacancies will be filled to study insects and their interaction with the residents of the city to prevent vector borne diseases and zoonotic diseases. Currently, there are 181 vacancies in the post of basic health workers. A total of 1142 permanent malaria control workers have been employed by the Chennai Corporation and 2450 workers have been hired temporarily. The workers will visit 17 lakh houses and residential areas to prevent breeding of mosquitoes and control zoonotic diseases.