Telangana Health department urges ‘Friday Dry Day’ to prevent dengue, warns of rise in seasonal diseases

With rising cases of dengue and water-borne illnesses, the Telangana health department has advised weekly ‘Friday Dry Day’ efforts to eliminate stagnant water. Citizens are urged to take mosquito and hygiene precautions to prevent dengue, typhoid, viral fevers, and flu.

Hyderabad: With conditions ideal for breeding dengue-transmitting mosquitoes, the health department has urged people to observe ‘Friday-Dry Day’ every week to get rid of stagnant water around households and offices.

With dengue mosquitoes being day-biters, which means they can also bite during day time, the health department has urged people to secure their doors and windows and mosquito nets,screens and covering their beds and cribs with mosquito nets. People can also generously utilize mosquito repellants and maintain domestic drains to prevent water from stagnating.

---

To curb the impact of marked rise in cases of gastroenteritis, jaundice and typhoid (all water-borne diseases), the general public should ensure the consumed boiled/treated water, wash hands before and after consuming meals and avoid consuming stale food.

The Director of Public Health, Dr B Ravinder Nayak has also urged people to be wary of air-borne infections including viral fevers and influenza. “Basic cough etiquette like avoiding to shake hands with persons who are sick, using hand sanitizers, using hand-kerchief while sneezing or coughing must be followed by individuals,” he said.