New SOPs to eradicate dengue virus

Around 7,000 people were tested positive for the disease and more than 20 people had lost their lives last year

RAWALPINDI: New Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to eradicate dengue virus are being implemented in letter and spirit.

The Rawalpindi District Health Authority (DHA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Sohail Chaudhry said in a statement on Wednesday that to prevent spread of dengue virus indoor and outdoor surveillance is underway in the areas from where dengue patients were reported last year in the district.

The DHA chief said that keeping in view the dengue epidemic last year, in which around 7,000 people were tested positive for the disease and more than 20 people had lost their lives, the Punjab government has introduced new SOPs to curb the virus.

He said concerted efforts were in place to screen every nook and corner of the district so that dengue could not become an epidemic this year.

Dr Sohail said that effective monitoring was being ensured by door to door surveillance, adding he personally is monitoring dengue breeding points in the city and  the whole process  is being checked through Punjab Government Dengue Online Android System.

The DHA CEO said squads have been visiting various areas and update dengue progress images and details on the application.

He said besides government departments, public has to come forward as without their participation the government alone could not eliminate dengue.  

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2020.