Dengue surveillance activities to continue during Eid holidays

In the wake of threat of dengue outbreak, the government has asked all concerned departments to be more vigilant and continue dengue surveillance activities during Eid ul Azha holidays. As many as 161 confirmed dengue patients have been reported during current year as against 332 patients reported up to 4th October in 2013. About 38 dengue patients have been reported from Lahore, 78 from Rawalpindi and 29 dengue patients have been reported from Sheikhupura.
Secretary Health Punjab Jawad Rafique Malik, while chairing a meeting of Cabinet Committee for Dengue Control here Saturday said that previous year dengue patients were suddenly increased after Eid ul Azha, therefore, all the concerned departments should be more vigilant and dengue surveillance activities must be continue during Eid holidays. He said that minor negligence can make dengue out of control. Besides, members Punjab Assembly Pir Ashraf Rasool and Kiran Dar, DCO Lahore Captain Muhammad Usman (Retd), all the senior officers of Town Incharge departments, WASA, Solid Waste Management, PHA, PITB, EDO Health Sheikhupura, Dean IPH and other officers and health experts attended the meeting.
The officers shared their action plan prepared by their respective departments for dengue surveillance during Eid holidays. DCO Lahore Muhammad Usman apprised the participants of indoor and outdoor dengue surveillance activities carried out by the CDGL at town and union council level. He informed the participants that on 3rd October no confirmed dengue patient was reported from Lahore, however, dengue larvae in a big quantity is being reported during indoor surveillance. He observed that mostly dengue larvae were detected from room coolers, water tanks, and refrigerators' tray and from other articles.
DCO further said that during Eid holidays, targeted dengue surveillance and larvae-ciding activities would be continued. He disclosed that Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has sanctioned honorarium for dengue staff who will work during Eid holidays. He informed that Rs 1000/- will be given to each worker as honorarium. Additional Director General Health (Vector Born Disease) Dr Islam Zafar informed the participants of the meeting of their anti-dengue activities.
Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik asked the local government department, City District Governments and other agencies to ensure complete dengue sweeping in graveyards, parks and mosques to prevent the masses from dengue bites during their Eid prayers and visits to graveyards. He also directed for random checking of dengue surveillance teams during Eid holidays.