Hyderabad: Telangana’s health department on Sunday appealed to citizens to mark every Friday as ‘Friday Dry Day’ to check the breeding of dengue-spreading mosquitoes during the ongoing favourable weather conditions. Officials advised households, offices, rooftops, and surroundings to be cleared of stagnant water on a weekly basis.
Health authorities pointed out that dengue mosquitoes are active during the daytime, urging residents to keep windows and doors shut where possible, use mosquito nets and mesh screens, and protect children’s beds and cradles with netting. People were also encouraged to apply mosquito repellents and maintain proper drainage and pipeline hygiene to avoid water accumulation.
With an increase in waterborne diseases such as gastroenteritis, jaundice, and typhoid, the department instructed the public to consume only boiled or filtered drinking water, wash hands thoroughly before and after meals, and refrain from eating stale food.
Director of Public Health Dr B Ravinder Naik also flagged concerns about airborne infections, viral fevers, and influenza. He advised covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing, avoiding handshakes, and following basic hygiene practices to limit the spread of diseases.
Dr Naik stressed that simple precautions could prevent major illnesses and called on residents to adopt a healthy lifestyle by strictly following these advisories.