Rajkot witnessed just one dengue case in the week of May 11-17, with no instances of malaria or chikungunya, as per the Rajkot Municipal Corporation’s health department. The city’s sustained mosquito control and surveillance activities were credited for this low incidence. Aedes mosquitoes, carriers of dengue, are known to bite during the day and spread infections quickly, especially in densely populated areas.
Mosquito breeding is noted to thrive in urban regions due to stagnant clean water sources, coupled with sanitation issues and public negligence towards hygiene. The short life cycle and rapid reproduction of mosquitoes can lead to swift infestation if not managed promptly. Anti-larval operations were conducted in over 29,000 houses during the reporting week as part of vector control measures.
Fogging operations were carried out in 133 houses by field teams, and areas with high mosquito density saw the deployment of vehicle-mounted fogging machines. The fogging coverage included sensitive residential areas, public roads, and places with significant human traffic. Inspections were also conducted at various premises, resulting in notices being issued to residential and commercial properties where mosquito breeding was identified.
The health department emphasized accountability for premises where mosquito breeding was found, issuing notices and administrative charges accordingly. In terms of mosquito-borne diseases, the city recorded one dengue case, zero malaria cases, and no chikungunya cases for the week. Cumulative data since January 1 indicated three malaria cases, 14 dengue cases, and one chikungunya case.
During the same period, the city reported cases of cold and cough, general fever, diarrhoea and vomiting, typhoid fever, and other communicable diseases. Prevention measures included conducting chlorine tests to monitor water safety and reduce the risk of water-borne infections. The health department stressed the importance of continuous surveillance, timely civic interventions, and public cooperation in eradicating potential breeding sites for vector-borne and water-borne diseases.
