West Bengal Schools May Revise Dress Code to Curb Dengue; Health Minister Says Socks Aren’t Enough

Kolkata: With dengue transmission typically peaking during the monsoon and post-monsoon months, the West Bengal government is planning temporary changes to school uniforms to reduce students’ exposure to mosquito bites.

West Bengal Health Minister Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee has urged schools to modify student clothing during the dengue-prone period, stressing that covering the body more effectively can help protect children from mosquito bites.

During a high-level review meeting at Swasthya Bhavan, the headquarters of the state Health Department, the minister discussed measures to control dengue transmission. Following the meeting, the uniform guidelines for government schools are expected to be revised.

Full-Sleeve Shirts, Full-Length Trousers Recommended
Under the proposed guidelines, boys in government schools will be advised to wear full-sleeved shirts and full-length trousers.

For female students who normally wear skirts, schools will be encouraged to allow outfits that provide greater coverage of the legs. The minister specifically suggested that girls be permitted to wear salwar-kameez instead of skirts during the dengue-prone months.

An official circular on the temporary uniform changes in government schools is expected to be issued soon.

The state government is also likely to appeal to private schools to adopt similar preventive measures. However, implementation in private institutions will ultimately depend on the respective school authorities and boards.

‘Awareness Can Help Prevent Dengue’
Emphasising the importance of preventive measures, Mukherjee said dengue can be prevented through greater awareness and collective action.

He appealed to principals and teachers to allow students to wear full-sleeved and more covering clothing for the three-month period, even if it differs from their regular school uniform.

Why Knee-Length Socks May Not Be Enough
The Health Minister also addressed suggestions that students could wear knee-length socks as an additional protective measure.

According to Mukherjee, thin, knee-length socks may not provide adequate protection because mosquitoes can potentially bite through fabric that remains close to the skin.

Instead, he reiterated that students should be encouraged to wear clothing that offers more complete coverage—full-length trousers and full-sleeved shirts for boys, and salwar-kameez or similarly covering attire for girls.

The proposed measures are intended to be followed particularly during September, October and November, when the state is seeking to strengthen efforts to bring down dengue infections.

The government’s focus, officials said, is on combining awareness, mosquito-control measures and personal protection to reduce the risk of dengue among schoolchildren.