Gambusia fish to help fight dengue in Udhampur

Jammu, July 26

In an effort to fight dengue menace in the monsoon season, the Udhampur Health Department has introduced Gambusia fish, also known as mosquito fish, into ponds across the district. This comes after a surge in dengue cases reported last year.

The department identified mosquito hotspots and has released Gambusia fish into ponds in these areas. These fish are natural predators of mosquito larvae and will help prevent the spread of vector-borne disease.

Chief Medical Officer Anil Manhas said, “We are taking steps to curb the spread of dengue before it becomes a major issue.” The department is also launching awareness campaigns to educate the public on how to take precautions against the disease.

Manhas assured that the Health Department team is working diligently to combat the threat, following instructions from their superiors. He added that Health Secretary took a meeting through video conference to tackle dengue before its spread.

Last year, 670 dengue cases were reported in Udhampur district out of which maximum were reported from the Tikri Block.