It is essential to understand the bionomics of mosquito breeding, as it could help in taking preventive and curative measures to check the spread of viral fevers, like dengue. Even though the north east monsoon has failed, the habit of storing water in open containers in households proves a breeding site for aedes agypti (tiger mosquitoes), which spreads dengue, say public health workers.

With the Municipal water supply system facing acute shortage and the water supply to some areas, such as Kavundampalayam, in the city limits being very erratic, the habit of storing water in water in open containers by householders has increased, and as a consequence paved the for potential mosquito breeding sites.

In recent days, about five cases of dengue were reported and a one year old child from Tirupur, who tested positive for dengue died at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH). According to health officials, three other patients were under treatment for dengue in CMCH.

Though the cases being reported are only sporadic in nature, and there is no outbreak, preventive and curative measures by public health officials and civic body could hold the key to eradicating disease, according to public health professionals.

In the mean while, Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation has deployed a work force of 1,000 domestic breeding checkers, 10 men each for a ward in all the 100 wards of the civic body to visit houses to spread awareness and destroy mosquito breeding sites. Dengue reported areas in the past are given priority and potential areas for mosquito breeding is also high on the agenda for surveillance and regular fogging.

The civic body has stepped up its mosquito control measures to prevent any major outbreak of dengue said Dr Santhosh Kumar, Coimbatore Corporation Health officer.

While source reduction could be the key to control mosquito breeding, the householders should only store water in airtight containers, and periodical cleaning of containers using bleaching powder helps in destroying eggs. Better awareness on the life cycle of the mosquito, the vector which spreads dengue and chikungunya, will pave way for easy source reduction of the vector, said Dr Santhosh.