Thiruvananthapuram, 21 June (H.S.):

As part of intensified efforts to prevent the spread of dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases, the Kerala Health Department held a statewide “Dry Day” campaign in households on Sunday, urging residents to eliminate mosquito breeding sources in and around their homes.

The state-level inauguration of the household Dry Day programme was held at the residence of Health Minister K. Muraleedharan in Jawahar Nagar, Kowdiar, at 10.30 a.m. The Minister also participated in an awareness campaign alongside health workers, visiting nearby houses to educate residents on preventive measures against dengue.

The initiative formed part of a broader sanitation and disease-prevention campaign launched by the Health Department amid concerns over a possible rise in dengue cases during the monsoon season. The decision to observe Dry Day was taken at a high-level review meeting of the department chaired by the Minister.

As part of the campaign, cleaning activities were conducted in schools on Friday and government offices on Saturday, while Sunday was dedicated to household-level sanitation efforts across the State. The primary objective was to identify and destroy breeding sites of the Aedes mosquito, which transmits dengue fever.

Health officials urged the public to ensure that no stagnant water remained in or around their homes, as even small collections of water can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Common risk areas include flower pots, refrigerator trays, discarded coconut shells, unused containers, tyres and other objects capable of holding water.

The Health Department has cautioned that dengue cases could increase with the strengthening of the monsoon. Based on assessments by public health experts, the government has intensified preventive measures, including the weekly Dry Day campaign, to reduce the risk of outbreaks.

Authorities appealed for public cooperation, stressing that community participation remains essential to controlling mosquito breeding and preventing the spread of dengue during the rainy season.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman