Dengue season: Health Dept told to improve vector surveillance

Dengue experts directed to inspect teaching hospitals for medicines.

LAHORE:

The Health Department has been directed to improve vector surveillance in the city during August and September.

The directions came from Khwaja Salman Rafique, chief minister’s special assistant on health, while presiding over a meeting on Friday to review measures taken to control breeding of the dengue mosquito.

The special assistant said that a letter be written to the Punjab Horticulture (PHA) director general asking him to direct the PHA staff to water parks only when necessarily and to immediately dispose of waste at public parks. He said there was no need so far for insecticide spraying and fogging and that dengue mosquito larvae should be destroyed through mechanical method.

He directed the Dengue Expert Group to inspect teaching hospitals to review preparations and availability of facilities for dengue patients.

Institute of Public Health Dean Prof Mauz Ahmad stressed the need for paying special attention to Samanabad, Ravi, Aziz Bhatti, Wahga and Gulberg Towns and called these areas ‘sensitive’.

Dr Waseem Akram, the chief minister’s Dengue Research Cell in charge, said that very few adult dengue mosquitoes and larvae had been reported since the monsoon season began. He said there was still a need for a vigorous public awareness campaign.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2012.