Girls of a government-sponsored school have been visiting residents in their neighbourhoods and explaining to them the need to keep their surroundings clean and not let water accumulate to keep dengue at bay.
Senior girls of Santoshpur Rishi Aurobindo Balika Vidyapith have been undertaking the awareness campaign since September 3.
Each group of girls, from Classes VIII to XI, is visiting at least 10 houses in their localities to spread awareness about dengue — symptoms of the disease, how it spreads and how it can be prevented.
While most homes have been welcoming, some households expressed reluctance in listening to what students had to say.
“Not every adult will have the same response. But many of them do listen and in fact, the impact is more when schoolchildren try to address an issue and raise awareness about it,” said Sarbani Sen, headmistress, Santoshpur Rishi Aurobindo Balika Vidyapith.
“Adults become more alert when schoolgirls talk about keeping the surroundings clean.”
In every home the girls are asking the residents to ensure that water does not accumulates in unused pots, coconut shells or tea cups, which can lie in a corner of the house or outside.
Eggs of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary transmitter of the dengue virus, can turn into adults if they get a spoonful of water that remains undisturbed for at least seven days.
Class XI student Munnima Halder has visited 10 homes so far. In at least three homes, residents have had dengue this year, she said.
“So many people are contracting dengue. Some patients have died, too. We should at least try to keep the surroundings clean and not let water accumulate. That will prevent breeding of mosquitoes,” she said.
“We also told residents to sleep inside mosquito nets,” said Munnima.
The girls have visited standalone houses and housing societies to talk to residents.
“There were occasions when people walked away. We did feel bad but ignored the feeling because there were others who heard us and promised to adhere to the safety norms,” Class VIII student Suprava Halder said.
“All of us have to try together to combat the spread of the disease,” said Munnima.
The visits are helping the students learn more about dengue and its spread, said headmistress Sen.
“Before visiting the homes, they did their homework and read about dengue. It did raise their awareness,” said Sen.