The Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Imtiaz Inayat Elahi has directed Health Services Directorate to expedite the pace of Anti-Dengue Campaign in the federal capital to prevent the residents from the horrible fever.
Chairman CDA has instructed the Directorate of Health Services to contain transmission of Dengue virus in Islamabad, and gear up its drive against the Dengue fever, which is already launched to restrain Dengue virus in Islamabad, said a news release issued here on Wednesday.
The instruction has been given in the aftermath of the Dengue fever cases reported from Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad so that the people can be saved from the deadly disease. Dengue fever is self-limiting disease with almost 100 percent recovery, but its advanced stages ie, dengue hemorrhagic and dengue shock syndrome could be dangerous.
Dengue fever is caused by mosquito "Aedes agypti". This specific mosquito breeds in clean water. The life cycle of this species is seven days. Essential and precautionary measures ie change the water in water tank, bottles, bathtubs, money plant, flower pots etc, once in a week, dengue fever could possibly be controlled.
To over come the Dengue Fever, Health Services Directorate of CDA has divided the city into three regions for the purpose of comprehensive coverage Region One covers Katchi Abadies of the entire city and attached Nallas Region Two covers Green Areas of the entire city and attached Nallas Region Three covers the Government accommodation, mosques, imam bargas and Churches and attached residential accommodations.
Larvicides are being added in Nullahs or streams and spray is being done along the banks of streams or Nullahs. In addition, breeding are being collected from nullahs to identify the species. Close liaison has been established with hospitals and National Institute of Health, Islamabad in order to work in co-ordination. To keep aware the public regarding Dengue fever and its precautions, banners have been installed in all public places and pamphlets are being distributed among public.
Since August 1, Sector-6/1,2,3,4, 10 Weekly Bazaar, 18 Mosques, 13 Government accommodations, 7 Katchi Abadies, 3 Nallahs, 12 Markets, 3 Hospital, 6 Green Belts and Prime Minister House has been sprayed. In addition, Musharraf Colony (G-8/4), TNT Colony (G-8/4) and Supermarket (F-6) have been sprayed and fogged.
Chairman CDA appealed the general public to install wire gauze on the doors and windows, use mosquito nets when sleeping outside, and covering the pits of stagnant water sand or mud around houses and destroy the old tyres, and other vessels that store water because these provide rich sources for breeding of mosquitoes. He said that there is no effective vaccine; prevention is the only tool for the control. He specially appealed the residents of Katchi Abadis to take preventive medicines against malaria.