Bhubaneswar, July 11: Various city organisations, including the civic body, have pulled up their socks to keep deadly vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and Japanese encephalitis, at bay during the ongoing monsoon.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has started a special drive to clean up dirty ponds, lift garbage from dustbins and ensur that rainwater does not accumulate in abandoned places, tyres and containers, as part of the standard operating procedure to prevent dengue.

"We have issued direction to the respective zonal divisional commissioners and local councillors to identify places where water remains stagnant and take remedial measures. They have also been asked to collaborate with local agencies and take on awareness activities," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

Besides, Capital Hospital has also opened a special dengue ward. "We have opened the ward which has a capacity to accommodate 10 patients. So far, no cases have been reported. But we are ready to tackle the situation if someone with the disease approaches us," said an administrator at the hospital.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has also organised a two-day dengue and Japanese encephalitis treatment training programme for medical officers engaged with the state-run hospitals.

"We have collaborated with the state health and family welfare department and provided training to 25 medical officers of various districts of the state. They have been trained in clinical management of dengue and Japanese encephalitis. The two-day training ends today and officers are now ready to take on the task," said AIIMS director Gitanjali Batmanbane.

City residents welcomed the move of the administration to take such efforts to prevent occurrence of dengue or Japanese encephalitis.

"Japanese encephalitis is not a prevalent disease in the city. But dengue is common here during the monsoon," said city resident and social worker Alok Mohanty.

"Like previous years, we will call on our youth and children and take out a rally to sensitise people about prevention of dengue and Japanese encephalitis this year as well. People, especially those living in slums, should be made aware of the threat of such diseases," said Niranjan Mohanty, a Youth Red Cross volunteer.