Addressing a press conference here after a doctors' convention on generating mass awareness on dengue control, IMA general secretary Dr Prem Aggarwal affirmed that the control of the dreaded disease was a collective responsibility of the government, business houses, NGOs and the common man.

``Unless a movement is launched to control the acute virus infection caused by breeding of vector mosquito aldesaegyple, the endemic disease would continue to break on and off in India,'' Dr Aggarwal added. Apart from the government and the general public, every medical practitioner has to assume the responsibility of vector control in his area on himself and enlighten all those involved in creating unhealthy situations, he said.

Earlier, speaking at the convention, National Malaria Eradication Programme Deputy Director General N.B.L. Saxena stressed on the control and prevention of dengue through early diagnosis, vector control and information, education and communication for community participation. Saxena said that the general medical practitioners could help in dengue prevention by counseling their patients on personal protection measures as well as through active participation in collective and collaborative efforts.

``The success of dengue control can be ensured in a collective approach.... Further the enactment of bylaws is considered an important tool for prevention on mosquito breeding.'' Providing the world view of dengue, former director of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases Dr P.N. Sehgal said that over two billion people living in tropical areas run the risk of dengue transmission. Quoting estimates, Dr Sehgal said between 150 to 200 mild or silent dengue infections occur for each case of dengue haemorrhagic fever as seen in hospitals.