Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar on Sunday reviewed the preparedness of the medical and health department in Tirupati district to tackle the seasonal diseases ahead of the monsoon.

In view of the heavy showers expected over the next two to three months, the review meeting discussed the possibility of the spread of viral diseases, especially in the backward and low lying areas.

Mr. Kumar directed the municipal corporation sanitation officials to ensure hygiene in public toilets and closure of open drains.

In view of the risk of contamination posed by water pipelines close to sewage lines developing leakages, he directed officials to prevent occurrence of such instances. He called for measures to curb mosquito menace, and instructed officials to clear waterlogged areas, to prevent diseases such as chikungunya, malaria and dengue.

The Principal Secretary also reviewed data on the prevalence of seasonal diseases in Tirupati district over the past three years and made a comparative study and the efforts taken to control them.

As part of the Pulse Polio campaign, he formally declared open the camp earlier in the day by administering polio drops to a child in the presence of local MLA Arani a Srinivasulu, TUDA Chairman C. Divakar Reddy and AP Yadava Welfare Corporation Chairman G. Narasimha Yadav.