Dengue-breeding properties to be red-flagged

Acting swiftly after the confirmation of 158 dengue positive hotspots in the garrison city, the district administration has decided to red-flag the vacant plots, which are littered with breeding grounds for the disease-carrying mosquitoes, besides making it mandatory to obtain a no-objection certificate from the deputy commissioner for sale of such plots.

In a meeting of the Divisional Emergency Response Committee chaired by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha, Chief Executive Officer Health Dr Ansar Ishaq told those in attendance that 291,739 hotspots were checked during the outdoor vector surveillance in the last month, out of which 158 found positive and the required action was taken.

“Similarly, 628,038 houses were checked during the indoor surveillance, out of which 1,137 houses came out positive and required action was taken,” he said.

The Rawalpindi commissioner said that two confirmed cases of dengue have been reported in the district so far, but we have to control it from the beginning.

He directed that all the departments should pay full attention to larva elimination as the current weather is extremely suitable for its breeding. “If it is not controlled now, it will be impossible to control the adult mosquito,” he said.

The commissioner strictly directed that there was no room for any kind of carelessness or misrepresentation in the measures taken to eliminate the dengue mosquitoes.

He directed that immediate arrangements should be made for the disposal of solid waste. “All vacant plots in the city have been identified and the owners of these plots have been served notices by the deputy commissioner,” he said and added that in case of non-compliance, such plots will be red-marked.

“Sale and purchase of red-marked plots will be subject to the NOC of the deputy commissioner.”

The commissioner further said that in view of the current rains, special attention should be given to the field activities and drainage arrangements should be made immediately.

“Apart from this, attention should be paid to the surveillance of the cemeteries and parks where there are weeds and there is a risk of water accumulation,” he said.

Chattha directed that teams appointed for dengue surveillance should try to control the growth of dengue larvae by checking graveyards and other places on a daily basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2023.