Islamabad authorities review preparedness to prevent possible dengue outbreak
High-risk areas identified, Rawalpindi sees two more patients admitted in hospitals
High-risk areas identified, Rawalpindi sees two more patients admitted in hospitals. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
Officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) on Tuesday reviewed preparedness to prevent possible dengue outbreak in the federal capital.
CDA Chairman and Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz presided over a meeting regarding dengue preparedness and reviewed measures taken by the government. CDA Director Health Services told the meeting that constant surveillance of potential breeding spaces was being ensured while Directorate of Health Services (DHS) is corresponding with all the relevant departments.
Aziz said that preventing dengue was an administrative and social responsibility, directing capital authorities to further gear up their efforts to eliminate dengue larvae from the city.
He said particular attention should be paid to high-risk areas, including IJP road and Islamabad Expressway. All necessary funds will be provided to the formations concerned, he assured.
Director sanitation told the meeting that Sanitation Directorate had accelerated its cleanliness activities around the city to prevent dengue spread in the city. The entire sanitary machinery and workforce was being engaged to proactively deal with the challenge, he added.
Director general environment said that they were trimming trees and removing unnecessary plantations to restrict mosquito growth across the city. The activity will be further reinvigorated in the coming days, he added.
Outbreak in Pindi
The dengue fever outbreak in Rawalpindi is spreading very fast as two more patients were admitted to the Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi in the last 24 hours. Those hospitalised include 16-year-old Yaqoob and 35-year-old Farkhanda, a news channel reported.The toll of patients affected by the bite of Aedes mosquito has reached five during this year.
The viral fever has been spreading very rapidly in the city and precautionary measures adopted by the authorities are nowhere to be found in this regard.
Sources said that a survey was conducted at 6,000 places in Rawalpindi a week ago and dengue larvae were discovered from at least 111 locations.
Separately, District Health Authority (DHA) Chief Executive Officer Dr Fayyaz Ahmed Butt on Tuesday said that all resources are being utilised for dealing with spread of dengue and concerned departments are fully mobilised.
Presiding over a meeting to review prevailing dengue situation and measures taken for eradication of this menace, he said that in wake of dengue outbreak in Peshawar, the DHA has declared the Pashto speaking localities high risk areas vulnerable for spread of dengue.
The top doc of the district said fogging and surveillance has been lengthened in areas of Pirwadhai, Fauji colony, Dhoke Hassu, Westridge and Kohinoor Mills as number of people daily come from Peshawar to these localities. While anti dengue spray is also being carried out at bus terminals. He said dengue is under control in Rawalpindi and health department is on high alert to cope with any situation.
Dr Fayyaz called upon the residents to keep an eye on junkyards, under construction buildings and sweep the stagnant water which lead to spread of dengue larvae.
With additional input by APP
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2017.
Officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) on Tuesday reviewed preparedness to prevent possible dengue outbreak in the federal capital.
CDA Chairman and Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz presided over a meeting regarding dengue preparedness and reviewed measures taken by the government. CDA Director Health Services told the meeting that constant surveillance of potential breeding spaces was being ensured while Directorate of Health Services (DHS) is corresponding with all the relevant departments.
Aziz said that preventing dengue was an administrative and social responsibility, directing capital authorities to further gear up their efforts to eliminate dengue larvae from the city.
He said particular attention should be paid to high-risk areas, including IJP road and Islamabad Expressway. All necessary funds will be provided to the formations concerned, he assured.
Director sanitation told the meeting that Sanitation Directorate had accelerated its cleanliness activities around the city to prevent dengue spread in the city. The entire sanitary machinery and workforce was being engaged to proactively deal with the challenge, he added.
Director general environment said that they were trimming trees and removing unnecessary plantations to restrict mosquito growth across the city. The activity will be further reinvigorated in the coming days, he added.
Outbreak in Pindi
The dengue fever outbreak in Rawalpindi is spreading very fast as two more patients were admitted to the Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi in the last 24 hours. Those hospitalised include 16-year-old Yaqoob and 35-year-old Farkhanda, a news channel reported.The toll of patients affected by the bite of Aedes mosquito has reached five during this year.
The viral fever has been spreading very rapidly in the city and precautionary measures adopted by the authorities are nowhere to be found in this regard.
Sources said that a survey was conducted at 6,000 places in Rawalpindi a week ago and dengue larvae were discovered from at least 111 locations.
Separately, District Health Authority (DHA) Chief Executive Officer Dr Fayyaz Ahmed Butt on Tuesday said that all resources are being utilised for dealing with spread of dengue and concerned departments are fully mobilised.
Presiding over a meeting to review prevailing dengue situation and measures taken for eradication of this menace, he said that in wake of dengue outbreak in Peshawar, the DHA has declared the Pashto speaking localities high risk areas vulnerable for spread of dengue.
The top doc of the district said fogging and surveillance has been lengthened in areas of Pirwadhai, Fauji colony, Dhoke Hassu, Westridge and Kohinoor Mills as number of people daily come from Peshawar to these localities. While anti dengue spray is also being carried out at bus terminals. He said dengue is under control in Rawalpindi and health department is on high alert to cope with any situation.
Dr Fayyaz called upon the residents to keep an eye on junkyards, under construction buildings and sweep the stagnant water which lead to spread of dengue larvae.
With additional input by APP
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2017.