While the figures available with the Health Department do not indicate large clusters of dengue cases, the steady and spread out occurrence reveals a let-up in the efforts to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes that transmit the dengue-causing virus.
Figures available with the department say that up to July 20 this year, the district had recorded 90 cases of dengue, of which 26 confirmed cases were reported between July 1 and August 1.
Reckless dumping
And, fingers point at reckless dumping of water-holding waste items.
Coconut shells, worn-out tyres, broken bottles and bulbs still get dumped in open spaces and turn into receptacles of rain water that the mosquitoes need as breeding space.
With plastics waste recycling unit closed, carry bags too get dumped along roads or on vacant land.
Regular scene
Conservancy workers pulling up errant residents or shopkeepers has become a regular scene in the morning. An anguished worker vents her anger on the occupant of a house on East Hill Road, after catching the latter hurling coconut shells into the open space across the road.
“We have been telling you about the risks every day, and still you people do not learn,” she shouts. Public cooperation has been good whenever the campaign starts off on an intensive note. As days pass, the cooperation wanes and these breeding sources are dumped recklessly again, Kozhikode Corporation Health Committee Chairman K.V. Baburaj said on Tuesday. As for plastic bags, Mr. Baburaj says people alone cannot be blamed.
“We are not able to blame it entirely on the people because we (the Corporation) have closed the recycling plant as the private operator withdrew citing non-viability. In a couple of days, we will invite bids and look at reopening it as early as possible,” he said.
The committee chairman, however, said that no such excuse could be made for dumping other fresh-water holding items in the open. “Whenever we involve volunteers in surveillance, the cooperation is good. It dips when the surveillance shifts from one area to another,” he said.
Reconciled
Health officials too seem to have reconciled to the ground-level situation, stating that unless local bodies had a totally efficacious waste management system – from primary collection to disposal – it is difficult to prevent dumping in the open.
