West Bengal Health Department Suggests Changes in School Uniforms to Prevent Dengue

As the monsoon begins, dengue cases are increasing across West Bengal. Continuous rain has led to waterlogging in many areas, creating suitable conditions for mosquitoes to breed. To protect school students from mosquito bites, the state Health Department has suggested changes to school uniforms.

On Thursday, the Health Department sent a letter to the Additional Secretary of the School Education Department. The letter suggested that girls could wear salwar-kameez, while boys could wear full-sleeved shirts with trousers. The main aim is to keep more parts of the body covered and reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

The idea of changing school uniforms is not new. Earlier, Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay had suggested changes in students’ uniforms during a training programme for teachers. The latest letter from the Health Department is believed to be an effort to put that suggestion into practice. Schools are now expected to consider introducing the suggested dress code.

The move comes shortly after the death of a Class VI student in Bediapara, South Dum Dum, on Wednesday. The incident caused concern in the area, and the state government asked the Health Department for a report. However, according to preliminary information from the Health Department, there is no direct link between the student’s death and dengue.

Experts say awareness and preventive measures are important to control mosquito-borne diseases during the monsoon. The effectiveness of the joint efforts by the Health Department and schools to protect students from dengue will now be closely watched.