Monitoring for dengue larvae to continue during Eid holidays

Prof advises those feeling feverish not to travel during holidays.

LAHORE: Minister for Health Khalil Tahir Sindhu directed on Wednesday that monitoring for dengue mosquito and larvae be continued during Eid holidays.

He was presiding over a meeting of the cabinet committee to review the dengue situation in the province.

Health Special Secretary Babar Hayat Tarar said 20 cases of dengue fever had been reported in the last six months. He said heavy rains had increased the chances of dengue mosquito breeding. He said dengue mosquito larvae had been spotted during vector surveillance.

King Edward Medical University Vice Chancellor Faisal Masood said more than 500 dengue fever cases had been reported in Karachi. He discouraged people from travelling during Eid holidays, especially those who were feeling feverish.

He encouraged people to use mosquito repellants and to keep their neighborhoods clean.

The health minister said banners carrying information on preventive measures and travelling instructions should be displayed at bus terminals.

He said the dengue awareness campaign must continue and directed DCOs to ask cable operators to air regular campaign advertisements.

DCO Naseem Sadiq said special instructions for cleanliness and solid waste management had been issued for Eid holidays. He said the sanitation staff would be on duty during Eid.

He said civil defense staff had been asked to help with the anti-dengue activities.

The meeting was told that spray and fogging machines had been checked in all districts and were found functional and sufficient stocks of medicines and chemicals available for spray and fogging.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2013.