Dengue alert: Punjab govt closes schools for 10 days

In a bid to curb dengue in the province, the Punjab government on Tuesday announced the closure of all education institutions in Lahore for 10 days.

The number of dengue cases is increasing rapidly on a daily basis in Punjab. The decision will be effective from tomorrow (Wednesday).

According to a Punjab government spokesperson, all education institutions including private schools and colleges, will be closed for 10 days due to the widespread epidemic.

Meanwhile, the process of fumigation will be completed during these days to protect school going children.

CM to send team

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif directed the health department to send a special team to India to bring the necessary medicines to Pakistan within a week to combat dengue virus.

Sharif made this announcement while chairing a session on the disease.

He ordered that all administrative rooms in government hospitals should be converted into wards for treatment of dengue patients in Lahore.

The chief minister said that dengue awareness pamphlets should be distributed in Faisalabad and Lahore.

Sharif accused the Benazir Bhutto Hospital of not taking effective measures against the virus.

He also warned that an inquiry will be launched against any employee of the health department who shows negligence.

Yesterday, Punjab Mineral Development Corporation Secretary Ataullah Siddiqui died after contracting dengue fever at Doctors Hospital.