Dengue larvae found in three schools

Fisheries dept puts tilapia fish in ponds to eat dengue larvae

RAWALPINDI: Dengue larvae were found in three schools in the Gulzar-e-Quaid area of the city on Wednesday.

District Health Authority (DHA) expedited dengue control activities in the Gulzar-e-Quaid area. In this regard, DHA issued notices to three schools about the discovery of dengue larvae. The teams inspected around 26 schools during its activity.

DHA teams go door-to-door and carry out fumigation if dengue larvae were found under outdoor surveillance.

During indoor surveillance, the teams particularly inspect cages placed on top of house roofs.

RCB efforts

Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) under anti-dengue drive has inspected 2709 houses and removed dengue larva from 40 sites.

RCB spokesman Qasier Mahmood told APP that the Board had taken effective measures to control dengue while special teams under anti-dengue drive were inspecting residential and commercial places and educating the citizens about importance of sanitation, cleanliness and preventive measures against dengue.

59 test positive for dengue in Pindi

On 2,070 other points were checked by male and female health workers during outdoor inspection while dengue larva found at 10 points was removed from different areas including British Homes, Naseerabad, Westridge, Masrial Road, Chor, Range Road and Dhoke Gujaran areas.

A large number of containers were also checked during the drive, he added.

RCB teams were removing stagnant water and dengue larvae from several breeding sites. He said vulnerable points were regularly being checked and special inspection was conducted to check dengue mosquito larvae.

Novel idea

To eradicate the menace of dengue, the Fisheries Department, in collaboration with Punjab Fisheries Department has added tilapia fish to water ponds in rural areas of the federal capital. This fish was one of the five most effective forms of dengue control. These tiny fish are placed in water vessels to eat the larvae of dengue-transmitting mosquitoes.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2019.