Courtesy: Wikipedia
West Bengal News: Health Minister Dr Shardwat Mukherjee has appealed to schools to permit students to wear clothing that covers their arms and legs for the next three months as part of dengue-prevention efforts.
According to media reports, the minister made the appeal at a Health Department review meeting in Kolkata’s Swasthya Bhavan. He asked schools to allow full-sleeved shirts and full-length trousers from September to November, regardless of their regular uniform rules.
For girls who normally wear skirts, he specifically urged schools to allow salwar suits that cover the legs. Mukherjee said knee-high socks may not provide adequate protection because mosquitoes can bite through thin material.
Why is full-length clothing being suggested?
Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which is primarily active during the daytime, according to India’s National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control.
Covering exposed skin can reduce the opportunity for mosquito bites, but it is only one part of dengue prevention. The Centre’s school dengue handbook advises full-sleeved clothing, mosquito repellents and removal of stagnant water around homes and schools.
The World Health Organization also recommends clothing that covers as much of the body as possible, alongside approved mosquito repellents, screens and measures to prevent mosquito breeding.
Does the appeal mean schools must change their uniforms permanently?
No. The minister’s statement was an appeal for temporary flexibility during the dengue-risk period, not a reported statewide order permanently replacing school uniforms.
Schools would decide how to implement the request. The proposal is aimed at allowing practical alternatives, including full sleeves, trousers and salwar suits, without requiring students to follow their usual skirt-based uniform during the three-month period.
What else is essential to prevent dengue?
Personal protection cannot replace mosquito-control measures. Dengue prevention also depends on stopping Aedes mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water.
Schools and households can reduce risk by emptying and scrubbing water containers regularly, covering stored water, cleaning coolers, removing discarded containers and ensuring drains do not hold stagnant water. Repellents should be used only according to product instructions, particularly for children.
PS: Students with fever or possible dengue symptoms should seek medical assessment promptly rather than relying on clothing or home remedies.
