Dengue alert: Larvae detected in Pindi girls’ college water tank

Preventive measures need to be taken before summers.

RAWALPINDI:

It seems the health department is in for a tough summer as it might actually have to go around town fighting dengue larvae after the chief minister’s special team found larvae in the water of Government Girls Degree College, Satellite Town.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, an official on the team said they had taken samples from the college and a large number of dengue larvae were detected in the water during tests.

Dengue mosquitoes were also found inside the college, he said. The team directed the district health department to fumigate the college to protect students.

“The team was shocked to find such a large number of dengue larvae.” The college administration was asked to remove the water in the tank and the college will be fumigated, he added.

Dr Javed Hayat of the Holy Family Hospital said the water must be drained as soon as possible as larvae cannot live without it. Fumigation should be carried out to kill the mosquitoes, he added.

Last year, the health department was directed to contain the larvae before the arrival of summer. A dengue cell was constituted and directed to create awareness as well as take steps to control the mosquito-borne disease.

A special ward was set up at Holy Family Hospital after over a 1,000 people were affected by dengue. District Health Officer Dr Khalid Randhawa could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2014.