Epidemic prep: Dengue control regulations in force

Health inspectors can check private properties for mosquito breeding.

LAHORE:

The Dengue Epidemic Control Regulations 2011 are in force again in the province and will remain in force till November 30, 2012, said a Health Department spokesman.

Under the regulations, the owners of houses, factories, mills and tyre godowns are responsible for curbing the growth of dengue mosquitoes on their properties.

The spokesman urged citizens not to let water accumulate in places in their houses. People should dispose of broken utensils, tyres and plastic bottles and repair any leaking water pipes, tanks, room coolers and air conditioners.

The spokesman said that ponds, fountains and swimming pools needed to be dosed with larvicide to kill mosquito larvae. He said the regulations empowered health inspectors to check private properties for mosquito breeding sites. The owners of the property would have to pay to get any such sites cleared.

The spokesman said that all schools must be sprayed with insecticide. He said that schools would play an active role in raising public awareness of the disease and preventive measures through door-to-door visits. He said the regulations made it binding upon all schools to cooperate with the provincial government to eradicate dengue.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2012.