Punjab CS dissatisfied with anti-dengue drive

After 33 new cases of the dengue virus were reported across Punjab, the provincial chief secretary has expressed his dissatisfaction at the performance of allied departments and directed them to accelerate the anti-dengue campaign on Monday.

According to a study, the peak dengue season returns every four years and the next one is expected in 2023, however, Punjab is witnessing a rising number of dengue virus cases amidst rain forecast in coming weeks.

According to sources, after the emergence of new cases, authorities have decided to accelerate the anti-dengue campaign in Punjab without interruption.

While the anti-dengue campaign through surveillance and awareness is already under way across the province, two dengue positive cases have been reported in the Rawalpindi district while the rest across the province.

Sources stated that the anti-dengue campaign is being monitored three times a week by the District Emergency Response Committee and three times by the Tehsil Emergency Response Committees. It is being run by the provincial health department along with other allied departments, they added.

According to reports sent to the Punjab chief secretary, allied departments are not playing their due role in the anti-dengue campaign, causing a steady rise in the number of dengue virus cases across the province.

District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Faiza Kanwal said that anti-dengue teams continue to destroy the dengue larvae promptly wherever it is found.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2021.