DENGUE THREAT COULD EXTEND INTO DECEMBER: EXPERTS

CHIEF Minister’s Dengue Research Cell Incharge Professor Wasim Akram has observed that due to sustainability of temperature and warm weather in day time, dengue threat could extend into December.

He was addressing the Cabinet Committee on Dengue with Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq in the chair.

Rafiq said secretaries of concerned departments should ensure their participation in the meetings of Cabinet Committee on Dengue for improving their performance and taking concrete steps.

He observed that the in-charge officers of Town Emergency Response Committees seldom attend the meetings which directly affect the performance of the subordinate staff. Elected representatives, Health Primary & Secondary Secretary Ali Jan Khan, Irrigation Secretary Saif Anjum, Health Director General Dr Mukhtar Hussain, Lahore DCO Capt. (R) Muhammad Usman and the officers of Punjab Information Technology and Meteorological Department attended the meeting. The DCOs and EDOs Health of Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Multan, Attock and Jhelum informed the meeting regarding dengue situation in their respective districts through video link.

Dengue Control Additional Director General Dr Fayyaz Butt informed that during the current year, 524 confirmed dengue patients have so far been reported in Rawalpindi whereas 1,052 patients have been reported from Islamabad. Moreover, during the current year 341 confirmed patients have so far been reported in Lahore.

Lahore DCO said dengue situation in DHA and Cantonment areas was gradually improving and overall, the dengue larva reporting was also lower down. Akram said that targeted fogging and indoor residual spray had been allowed to eradicate the adult dengue mosquito. Rafiq directed that all departments should continue antidengue activities and outdoor and indoor surveillance till the end of dengue season with vigorously.