Dengue virus: UAF spending Rs10m on research

Scientists at UAF engaged in collaborative research on dengue fever with scientists from Brazil,Sri Lanka and Thailand

FAISALABAD: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) has provided Rs10 million to a dengue research group, Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said on Sunday. He was addressing a dengue awareness seminar at the university. The group will research on 10 aspects of dengue fever control, including the dengue mosquito’s lifecycle, genetics, microbiological issues and food supplements to cope with immunity problems. Dr Khan said that scientists at the UAF were engaged in collaborative research on dengue fever along with scientists from Brazil, Sri Lanka and Thailand. He said that the biological and botanical aspects were very significant in order to develop preventive mechanism against the dengue virus. The National Institute of Food Science and Technology was focusing on food supplements and the botany and pharmacology departments were utilising their efforts to identify favourable medicinal plants.

Dr Anjum Sohail, the Entomology Department chairman, also gave a presentation on the dengue virus.

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