Chief minister Naveen Patnaik launches the fortnight-long awareness campaign on dengue, malaria and diarrhoea in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, Aug. 1: The state government today launched an awareness campaign on dengue, malaria and diarrhoea. A vehicle called Nidhi Mausa rath (uncle nidhi’s car), spreading the message to maintain hygiene, was flagged off on the occasion.

The chariot carrying the banner that reads “Nidhi Mausa dakuchhi asa, malaria, dengue o diarrhoea kariba nasha” (Come, Nidhi uncle is calling, we will eradicate malaria, dengue and diarrhoea) will move across the state.

“Vector-borne and water-borne diseases can be successfully dealt with through healthy environment and precautionary measures,” said chief minister Naveen Patnaik while launching the campaign here today.

This year, the state has reported 365 dengue positive cases. Similarly, it has been identified as one of the malaria-endemic states. Twenty-one malaria deaths have been reported till end of June this year.

Outbreak of diarrhoea takes place every year in the state, especially in the tribal-dominated areas. It had taken an epidemic form in Kashipur block of Rayagada district in September 2010 with as many as 41 deaths reported during three months.

Stressing on the need for supply safe drinking water, the chief minister announced that pipe water supply projects would be set up at 1,048 tribal villages for Rs 100 crore.

The fortnight-long campaign will conclude with a two-day cleanliness drive on August 13 and 14.

The campaign was launched simultaneously at the state and districts levels. During the campaign, posters and leaflets in Odia, Desia, Kui and Saura languages on malaria, dengue and diarrhoea will be distributed.

School children and teachers will be sensitised through a special comic book on mosquitoes. Besides, spots and jingles will be aired through radio and television.

The message will be carried to the interior pockets through 154 mobile health units and health camps will be conducted in seven districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar and Sonepur, said a health official.

In another development, the Cuttack district administration will set up health check-up camps to detect dengue cases at early stages. At least two such camps will be set up at ward No. 21 and 23, from where maximum dengue positive cases have been reported from the city.

“We have decided to set up health camps near the affected pockets,” said collector Girish S.N.

An official of SCB hospital said there had been a gradual decline in the dengue positive cases in the past couple of days.

The state-run hospital had received around 1,518 blood samples for tests from various parts of the state. Of this, 349 have been tested positive for the vector-borne disease. Of the 349 dengue cases, 274 have been reported from Cuttack.