Coordinated efforts stressed for dengue control
A vendor sells mosquito nets at a neighbourhood near the Korangi nullah. The city has witnessed a spike in dengue fever cases. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/Express
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Secretary Dr Shahzad Khan Bangash on Wednesday directed deputy commissioners to take steps for larva elimination to prevent further spread of dengue across the province.
Thousands have been infected by dengue in the province including the five most affected districts where thousands of cases have been reported.
The chief secretary presided over a meeting about dengue control at Civil Secretariat on Wednesday.
The meeting was attended by secretary health, director general health services, director PMRU, Integrated Vector Control Programme while deputy commissioners and district health officers participated through video link.
The meeting was informed that the K-P province had so far recorded 5,264 dengue cases this year with 3,521 reported in the current month.
During last six weeks, most of the dengue cases were reported in Mardan, Peshawar, Haripur, Khyber and Nowshera.
The forum was further informed that fogging and chemical spraying was carried out to eliminate mosquito larva in high risk districts and relevant departments were working in coordination for prevention of further spread of dengue.
In addition, 1,215 beds are reserved for dengue patients in hospitals across the province.
The chief secretary ordered deputy commissioners to make coordinated efforts to control dengue spread and give special attention to dengue hotspots in high-risk districts.
He stressed on creating public awareness to stop dengue spread and urged people not to store water in uncovered vessels to control breeding of mosquitoes.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2022.