Dengue season: Fumigation drive launched in Rawalpindi

Special focus on areas located adjacent to Nullah Leh; micro planning survey launched

RAWALPINDI: Following rains late last month, the district health department in the garrison city has launched an anti-dengue campaign in the city.

During the campaign, incidents of dengue infection are being monitored in the 46 union councils of Rawalpindi, especially in those parts of the city which have been declared as high-risk.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Anti-Dengue Campaign In Charge Dr Zeeshan Ahmed said that they had drafted a comprehensive strategy for controlling the spread of dengue in the city.

"Dengue fever situation is under control. The prevalence of dengue fever will end by mid-October when the weather conditions change," he said, reminding that the dengue spell is expected to last for four months.

In this regard, he said that they were working on cleaning the Nullah Leh in order to protect the population, particularly those residing along the banks of the massive storm drain, from dengue infections.

He said garbage was being disposed of on daily basis while huge containers had also been placed near the open drain so that people can safely dispose of their rubbish rather than dumping it into the drain. He explained that garbage thrown into the nullah was a major cause of dengue spreading.

In this regard, he said special anti-dengue teams had been deputed in 15 union councils which are located along the banks of Nullah Leh.

Dr Ahmed added that they had also launched a micro-planning survey in the city for dengue control and that so far, 125,000 houses have been registered in the limits of the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (MCR).

He explained that that surveillance of areas located on the outskirts of the federal capital had been completed while there was a special focus on areas located adjacent to Nullah Leh

The DHO said that a dengue control drive was also being carried out on a scientific basis and that their teams were visiting every house. If during their visit, they found an adult mosquito, they would spray the house and eight adjoining houses to make sure that the virus does not spread.

Moreover, a full-scale fumigation drive is underway in different localities of the city, especially where dengue larvae have been found.

On the treatment front, Dr Ahmed said they had made arrangements for isolating suspected dengue fever patients apart from putting in place preventive measures to meet any eventuality.

He advised citizens to adopt precautionary measures and not to panic as the dengue fever is curable with timely and proper treatment.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2018.