PU scientist predicts no dengue outbreak this year

Lahore: Like past predictions which have proven true, Punjab University virologist Dr Idrees Khan has said that there was no danger of dengue outbreak this year despite increase in breeding of dengue mosquitoes.

He was addressing a seminar organized by Punjab University Dengue Research Group presided over by PU VC Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran at Al Raazi Hall here on Wednesday.

Chairman Dengue Research Group Prof Dr Saeed Akhter, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences Prof Dr Naeem Khan, Chairman Department of Zoology Dr Javed Iqbal Qazi, head of Chief Minister’s monitoring force Ms Mubaraka, Deputy District Officer Dr Muhammad Iqbal, Chief Medical Officer Dr Nauman Ahmed, Resident Officer II Malik Muhammad Zaheer, faculty members, hostel wardens and superintendents were present on the occasion.

Dr Idrees said that PU team had intimated Punjab government in time last year and the government took steps accordingly to avoid dengue outbreak. Addressing the ceremony, Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran said that media should report detection of dengue larvae after its verification because all the larvaes of mosquitoes did not belong to Aedis Ageptie and media should not create panic and play responsible role in this regard. He said that we must adopt preventive measures to control spread of dengue fever. He said that PU had arranged a number of programmes and pamphlets, posters etc had been distributed among teachers, employees, students and visitors to create awareness against dengue. Giving a detailed presentation, Dr Saeed Akhter said we must keep our office and house environment dry and the efforts of Punjab Chief Minister were commendable in order to control dengue fever. Deputy District Officer Punjab Dr Muhammad Iqbal thanked PU VC for making efforts to create awareness against dengue fever.