18 dengue virus cases surface in metropolis

Field squad destroys larvae at 1,561 places

LAHORE:

At least 18 new dengue virus cases were reported in the provincial metropolis on Monday.

The Health department sources said besides the dengue virus cases, 1,561 larvae spots were reported in the last 24 hours, with many patients under treatment in different hospitals of the city.

Various squads conducted surveillance at indoor and outdoor places to detect dengue larvae during the last 24 hours. The anti-dengue squad destroyed dengue larvae at 1,561 places in the province during continuing surveillance.

Sources said on Monday, 18 patients of dengue fever were reported in Lahore and the number of dengue patients in the metropolis has risen to 322 so far this year. Moreover, 2,678 beds have been allocated for dengue patients in hospitals across Punjab, the Health Department said.

Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider, additional deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners are continuously paying surprise visits to check the performance of dengue teams working on the ground, in the wake of increasing dengue cases after rains.

The DC reviewed the performance of dengue teams in Allama Iqbal, Shalimar and Cantt areas, on Monday. Checking of more than 5,000 places would be ensured on daily basis, she said.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued recently, the DC announced that the number of dengue surveillance could be increased, keeping in mind the rain alerts of the Meteorological department. Issuing directions for controlling dengue, she warned all town officers to surely complete the set targets on a daily basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2023.