Dengue larva surveillance will be started from 15 February

Lahore: With the change of weather Punjab government has directed health and other concerned departments to take effective measures for checking the growth of dengue mosquito at the initial stages. In this connection, surveillance of dengue larva will be started from 15 February in accordance with the decision taken in the meeting which was presided over by Chief Secretary Punjab.

According to the spokesman of Health Department, Secretary Health Arif Nadeem has directed health officers of Lahore and other districts to initiate dengue larva surveillance from 15 February with the cooperation of the concerned departments. He further said that instructions have also been issued for completing the process of training of the concerned staff regarding detection of larva by 15 February 2013. Moreover, instructions have been issued to principals and medical superintendent of teaching hospitals to set up High Dependency Unites in their hospitals for the treatment of the potential patients. Director General Health Punjab has been directed to constitute a team for checking HDUs which will submit a report in this regard.

The spokesman further said that instructions have also been issued to hold meeting of Dengue Expert Advisory Group (DEAG) headed by Prof. Dr. Faisal Masood before February 15 for updating the guidelines for treatment of dengue patients and issuing these guidelines to all hospitals.

In the light of the instructions of Chief Secretary Punjab all concerned departments will remain alert for controlling the breeding of dengue mosquito for prevention of dengue outbreak and will work with coordination so that this menace could be checked at its earliest stage through collective efforts and solid strategy.