On guard: K-P ready to tackle dengue threat

Officials say a lot has been invested on prevention of disease.

PESHAWAR: Soon after over 600 dengue cases were reported in Karachi, speculations were rife that the virus could spread to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. As a counter measure, the authority dealing with dengue cases has adopted preventive measures.

Officials said previous governments would mostly focus on curing diseases and allocate a small chunk for preventive measures. They added they were prepared on this occasion and would not allow the virus to spread as it had in the past.

He said the majority of the population in hilly areas was unaware of protection measures against the virus. He added fumigation was not the best solution, but rather awareness sessions and informing people of the steps to take were the ways forward.

“The situation is totally under control this time as we not only held repeated awareness campaigns, but also used larvicidal in areas where the virus could spread,” said head of Dengue Control Programme Dr Khalid.



He stated at least 1,900 suspected cases surfaced last year and not one was confirmed by National Institute of Health in Islamabad. He added those reported in the provincial capital were referral cases.

“Yes, Dengue virus cases were reported from Malakand, Hazara, Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra and Swat, but this time we will not let it infect people as we have invested a lot in prevention,” Khalid said. When asked, the official explained first larva needed to be targeted and that was the reason authorities were using larvicidal.

He said fumigation only takes place after cases are reported. “We are adopting preventive measures so that we stop it from spreading,” Khalid said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2016.