WHO dengue team arrives in Pakistan following govt request

WHO to provide fumigation spray, equipment, nets, treated tarpulins for camps.

ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Emergency Health Team has reached Pakistan on September 25, 2011 to assess the situation on ground for its operations in response to the Government of Pakistan request for the Organisation’s support against the health crisis posed by the Dengue fever.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had given directions to the Pakistan Mission in Geneva to remain in constant touch with the WHO and apprise the concerned authorities about the damage done by the disease in Pakistan, especially in Punjab.

In his meeting with the Pakistan Ambassador in Geneva, the WHO’s Director General, Dr Margaret Chan, informed that the Organisation was already tracking the spread of dengue fever in Pakistan.

The concerned departments of WHO are planning to provide Pakistan the support in controlling the dengue outbreak in keeping with its standards and has dispatched a team of WHO experts on emergency basis for a need assessment and to train the doctors and paramedics with regard to treatment and vector control measures.

The WHO will also provide anti-dengue supplies such as insecticide sprays and equipments along with insecticide treated curtains, tarpaulins for use in camps of displaced persons and special mosquito nets.