As many as 20 confirmed dengue cases have been reported throughout the province during the last six months, while the provincial government has decided to continue vector surveillance and larvaeciding activities during Eid holidays. Due to the heavy rains, the chances of dengue mosquito breeding have increased and during the vector surveillance, dengue larvae are being detected.
The government has asked the concerned department to enhance their vector surveillance activities apart from intensifying disease surveillance. Health professionals have advised people to prevent themselves from mosquito bite and use anti-mosquito spray, mat in their houses and wear full clothes while going outside the house. Punjab Minister for Health Khalil Tahir Sindhu chaired a meeting of cabinet committee to review the dengue situation in Punjab and steps taken by the various departments for its control on Wednesday.
Addressing the meeting, the minister directed that vector surveillance and larvaeciding activities should continue during Eid holidays for which Eid holidays of dengue staff have been cancelled. Special Secretary Health Babar Hayyat Tarrar, Secretaries, Addl. Secretaries of concerned departments, Convenor Dengue Experts Advisory Group (DEAG) and VC KEMU Professor Dr Faisal Masood and elected representatives attended the meeting. The senior officers of local government, higher education, school education, food department, forests and fisheries, co-operative, information, culture department, additional commissioner Lahore, special branch and other officers briefed the meeting about the activities regarding dengue eradication campaign.
The meeting was informed that spray and fogging machines in all the districts are fully functional and sufficient stock of medicines, chemicals for spray and fogging is available and as per directions of the experts, spray would be carried-out. While briefing the participants of the meeting, Special Secretary Health informed that so far during the last six months, only 20 confirmed dengue cases have been reported throughout the province.
Professor Faisal Masood disclosed that more than 500 dengue cases have been reported only in Karachi and in order to control dengue fever it is necessary that people should refrain from travelling during Eid holidays, especially people suffering from any kind of fever should avoid from intercity travelling so that dengue could not spread.
Health Minister directed that all DCOs should arrange awareness campaign regarding dengue through cable operators in their respective districts for sensitisation of the masses. DCO Lahore informed that special instructions for cleanliness and solid waste management have been issued during Eid holidays and all sanitary staff is already on duty. He disclosed that services of civil defence staff has also been included in anti-dengue activities. Minister Health said that all departments are discharging their anti-dengue duties with full zeal and commitment. He said that these efforts and steps should be further intensified so that dengue could be controlled in this season.
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