13 dengue patients have been reported in Punjab: Health Department

Lahore: Health Department has confirmed 13 dengue patients have been reported in Punjab during current year out of which five cases have reported from Lahore and two from Rawalpindi.Indoor spray is being carried out as case response strategy in that particular area from where any dengue patient is reported. Moreover, Technical Advisory Committee has not recommended fogging as adult dengue mosquitoes are reported in limited number as excessive use of chemical is hazardous for human health.

To review the anti dengue campaign in the province,adviser for CM Punjab on health,Khawaja Salman Rafique presided over a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Dengue at 90-Shara-e-Quaid Azam here today. The meeting reviewed in detail the steps taken by different departments for dengue control.

Besides members Punjab assembly Nawaz Chauhan, Sh. Ijaz Ahmed, Kiran Dar, Lubna Faisal, Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik, DG Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, secretaries and Additional secretaries of concerned departments, DCOs of Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala, DG Punjab Information Technology Board, officers of Solid Waste Management Company, WASA and Special Branch and EDOs Health of Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala attended the meeting. Senior officers of Health Department, Higher Education, School Education, Cooperatives, Forests and Fisheries, Auqaf, Agriculture, Irrigation, Local Govt., Environment, Social Welfare Department briefed the meeting regarding the steps taken by their departments for indoor and outdoor dengue surveillance and awareness activities.

DCOs Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, DG PITB, officers of Rescue-1122, Special Branch and Metrological Department also apprised the meeting of the steps taken by the district governments and other departments and implementation of dengue regulations.

Additional Director General Health, Vector Born Disease Dr. Islam Zafar informed that during 2013 there were 2629 confirmed case of dengue whereas during current year only 13 confirmed dengue patients have been reported so far. He also briefed about the dengue surveillance, vector surveillance and larvaeciding activities carried out by the Health Department. It was also informed that indoor spray had already been completed in schools and colleges before their reopening after summer vacations.

Kh. Salman Rafique expressed his satisfaction over the efforts being made by different government departments for control of dengue.  He directed that in view of excessive rains in the month of September all departments should pursue anti-dengue activities vigorously. He urged upon educational authorities to arrange awareness seminars for the students. He also directed the Auqaf Department to ensure a brief speech by the Imam of mosques before Juma prayers for creating awareness about curbing polio and dengue.

Kh. Salman Rafique stressed the need of community participation for dengue control. He directed that senior officers should not only monitor anti-dengue activities of their staff but also participate personally in such efforts so that the lower staff should be motivated and encouraged. He also directed to improve data reporting regarding dengue surveillance.