Azad contended that children are more "susceptible" to dengue by virtue of their uniforms, which include half-pants and half-sleeves, exposing them more to the risk of mosquito bites leading to dengue.
"Therefore, my submission would be that at least for the next two-three months till this thing (anti-dengue efforts) is over, schools should be advised to tell parents to see that their children are fully dressed," he said.
He was speaking to reporters after chairing a review meeting over dengue with health ministers of four southern states, besides Puducherry.
Boys were especially prone to mosquito bites as they wore shorts and half-sleeves, he said.
However, it was left to Education Ministers of respective states to issue guidelines but it has been decided children should not be exposed to mosquito bites, he said.
"This can be a personal protection and even elders can adopt this," he suggested.
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Azad said the Centre and the southern states are seriously working to bring dengue cases down but "that doesn't mean our coming here (is due) to a panicky situation."
Decisions taken in today's meeting included involving local bodies more in ensuring cleaner localities and fogging and spraying activities as part of anti-larva efforts to hit at the sources of mosquito-breeding, he said.