Task force proposed to eliminate dengue larvae

Minister says it is important to mobilise locals in elimination efforts

LAHORE: A new task force has been proposed to eliminate dengue larvae in Punjab as the season of the viral disease is just around the corner. The suggestions were put forward as last week’s cabinet committee meeting over dengue.

Dengue larvae still was still emerging in posh localities despite cleanliness drives of previous years. The campaign included extensive indoor and outdoor cleanliness drives. The health department also warned people to clear stagnant water from around their residences and places of work. It added that the time was rife for dengue mosquitos to emerge in respective localities.



Minister for Health Khwaja Imran Nazir, seeking the elimination of dengue in a priority basis, proposed a task force on the pattern of polio teams or a committee consisting of focal persons from all provinces. He urged the setting up of these bodies so that provincial governments could work in coordination and take solid steps to control the potentially deadly virus.

He directed public health experts of IPH to prepare a data analysis report on suspected and confirmed dengue patients as well as larva which may exist in various localities. He said that for the last seven years, the government was taking all necessary steps and spending huge funds for dengue control. The minister continued that dengue teams would visit door-to-door to monitor cleanliness and remove dengue hotspots. He said that time has come for people to realise their responsibilities and take action to remove hotspots from inside their houses without waiting for government officials.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2018.