Kerala to launch campaign in schools against epidemics

School-level awareness programmes will be launched on Tuesday across the State as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen house-to-house epidemic prevention activities.

A joint initiative of the Health and Education departments, the school-level awareness programme will be inaugurated by Health Minister K. Muraleedharan at Cotton Hill GHSS. General Education Minister N. Samsudheen will administer a cleanliness pledge to students. The pledge on awareness of infectious diseases prevention will be taken by all schools across the State in the coming days.

The school-level campaign has been envisaged as part of the recommendations of the High Power Committee constituted by the government to prevent and control infectious diseases. The aim of the initiative is to make students aware of epidemic prevention measures, including the importance of cleanliness and personal hygiene practices.

Primary sources

A strong defence must be built against waterborne diseases such as shigellosis, which have been reported in increasing numbers in the recent days, as well as other communicable diseases including dengue fever, which is likely to intensify during the monsoon season.

Unhygienic environmental conditions and contaminated drinking water and food are the primary sources of waterborne and diarrhoeal diseases. The breeding grounds of dengue-causing mosquitoes, the Aedes species, can be eliminated only by preventing waterlogging in and around homes. The school-level campaign will focus on these essentials as part of awareness building in children.