More diagnosed: Dengue count crosses 100

18 test positive for dengue on Saturday.

LAHORE:

The official dengue patient count in the Punjab became 118 on Saturday as 18 more people tested positive for the disease.

Dr Jafar Ilyas, the vector borne diseases additional director general, told The Express Tribune the number of dengue patients had reached 118 in Punjab. He said most of the reported patients were from Lahore. He said none of the patients was in a serious condition.

“Out of the 118 patients 26 are currently admitted in public hospitals. The rest have been discharged after they recovered,” he said.

Separately, commissioner Jawwad Rafique Malik issued orders for deploying more staff at Ravi Town. Earlier, he had ordered that Ravi Town be divided into three zones for larvaeciding after reports indicated the presence of dengue larvae in the town.

‘Dengue a test’

Separately, Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, the deputy speaker of the Punjab Assembly, said the dengue virus was a test from Allah. He said the disease could be overcome and requested the cooperation of people.

Speaking at a seminar at Government Degree College for Women in Gulshan-i-Ravi, Khan said the preventive measures the government was advocating would help make Punjab dengue-free.

He said that women had an important role to play in increasing awareness against the dengue virus. He said students should help the government eliminate the disease. He said since 90 per cent of dengue mosquitoes bred indoors. He said woman had an important role in controlling it. He said the arrangements to treat dengue patients had improved this year.

False reports

Khawaja Salman Rafique, special assistant to chief minister on health, said there was no truth to the report that 900 people have been infected with the dengue virus. He said there were 112 confirmed cases of the disease between March 1 and September 15. He said the incidence of the dengue virus was being verified by the dengue expert advisory group, consisting of senior doctors. Rafique said no dengue larvae were found in the Aashiyana Scheme area.

Nursing applications

Saturday was the last day for receiving applications for admission to a three-year training course for nurses.

Some 1600 women have applied for 56 seats. PGMI Principal Prof Anjum Habib Wahra directed the LGH Nursing School administration to prepare merit lists according to rules and regulations.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2012.