‘Ongoing rains increase dengue larvae breeding’

District Health Authority had put field teams on high alert on possible breeding and spread of dengue, directing officials to continue in/outdoor dengue surveillance during Eid holidays.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Lubna Ishaq said that the leaves of the anti-dengue workers had been cancelled for carrying out anti-dengue activities. In the wake of ongoing rains, she added that threat of dengue larvae breeding had increased, which needed to be handled on an emergency basis.

Dr Ishaq said that the staff had been advised to remain alert so that such cases could be dealt with promptly. Pools of rainwater have exacerbated the risk of dengue in the city as water puddles were breeding grounds for mosquito larva.

The CEO said that as many people travel between Peshawar and Rawalpindi on Eid days, the Pashto-speaking localities of Pirwadhai, Fauji Colony, Dhok Hassu, Westridge and Kohinoor mills areas have been declared high-risk areas. She said a full-scale fumigation drive was underway in different city localities, mainly where dengue larva has been found.

She said that the health department was on high alert to cope with any situation.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2022.