Countering dengue: CDA sensitises business community

Director health services stresses need for preventive measures

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) organised a seminar at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry to create awareness among business community about pre-emptive measures for controlling dengue epidemic, said a press release.

CDA Director Health Services Dr Hasan Orooj, while giving a detailed presentation said 2.5 billion were globally at risk due to dengue, which was a leading cause of death among children in Asia. He said no vaccine was yet developed and the only cure was to take preventive measures.

He stressed upon the need to take preventive measures, saying that mushroom growth of dengue carrying mosquitoes could take a heavy toll on economic activities. He also identified tyre shops, empty plots, urban slums, streams and ponds as their breeding ground.

Sharing a sector-wise analysis, the director said the verified and confirmed dengue positive patients in the capital reflected that 52 per cent residents belonged to G-Sector. He further mentioned that 64 per cent of dengue positive patients belonged to low income group.

Dengue proves fatal to only one per cent, as the rest resists the virus with their in-built immune system, informed Orooj. He also shared that 2900 dengue cases were reported in Rawalpindi this year, as opposed to 67 in Islamabad.

He said CDA Health Directorate has developed a three-pronged strategy to counter the epidemic, which comprises of awareness creation, controlling dengue larva and controlling adult dengue mosquitoes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2015.