PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DISEASES

Maintenance of hygiene is very important for prevention and control of diseases.

Measures for hygiene include keeping the body clean; consumption of clean drinking water, food, vegetables, fruits, proper disposal of waste and excreta; periodic cleaning and disinfection of water reservoirs, pools, cesspools and tanks.

In case of air borne diseases, close contact with the infected person and his belongings should be avoided.

For vector borne diseases such as malaria and filariasis, the measures to control diseases are-

Control or eliminate thevectors and their breeding places.
Avoidingstagnation of water in and around residential areas.
Regular cleaning of household coolers.
Use of mosquito nets.
Introducing fishes like Gambusiain ponds that feed on mosquito larvae.
Spraying of insecticides in ditches,drainage areas and swamps, etc.
Doors and windows shouldbe provided with wire mesh to prevent the entry of mosquitoes.

The use of vaccines and immunization programmes has enabled to control diseases like smallpox, diphtheria, polio, pneumonia, tetanus etc.