The Government has geared up its machinery to fight any possible outbreak of dengue, chikungunya and other diseases during the monsoons. A meeting of the Emergency Action Committee for the Management of possible outbreak of dengue fever, chikungunya fever and Japanese encephalitis for North Goa District was held under the Chairmanship of Collector R Mihir Vardhan in the Conference Hall, Collectorate. In the meeting it was decided to create awareness among the people about these dreaded diseases.

Claiming that the vector borne diseases are limited mostly to construction sites, the State Task Force on vector borne diseases, which held its maiden meeting today decided to focus on eliminating the diseases from the State. Addressing a press conference, after chairing the meeting of State Task Force Health Secretary Anand Prakash stated that though the diseases cannot be eradicated completely it can be controlled.

The Health Ministry has provided mosquito nets to residents in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts where Chikungunya, Malaria and Dengue are prevalent. Health sector sources state that the mosquito population is on the increase due to global warming and monsoon rains. A number of people affected by Chikungunya and Malaria have been reported from these areas. Over 15,463 dengue patients were reported in 2004 with 88 deaths reported while 28 deaths were reported in 2005.

Brazil Troops Start Anti-Dengue Foot Patrols BRAZIL: April 9, 2008 RIO DE JANEIRO - Hundreds of Brazilian soldiers swapped ammunition packs for yellow bags of mosquito larvicide on Tuesday, taking the battle against a deadly dengue fever epidemic to the streets of Rio de Janeiro. The outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease has killed 68 people in the state of Rio, most of them in its capital -- a major tourism destination.

Awareness vital to combat malaria SHAHID RAO RAWALPINDI - Integrated awareness programme is vital to eradicate malaria because this disease has no boundaries and the residents of malaria-free areas, too, are falling victim to this dreadful disease. Pakistan Green Task Force President Dr Jamal Nasir said while addressing a seminar held here under the auspices of Federal Malaria Control Programme(FMCP). Eminent doctors, medical students, representatives of civil societies, members of Pakistan Green Task Force and people from all walks of life attended the seminar.

Speakers at a seminar here stressed the importance of an integrated awareness programme to eradicate malaria from society. According to a press release, the seminar was organised under the auspices of the federal malaria control programme, ministry of health.