TAXILA: Amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, the administrations in Taxila city and Attock district have prepared plans to cope with the possible spread of dengue.

In Attock, deputy commissioner Ali Annan Qammar directed implementation of Anti Dengue Micro Plan in letter and spirit and said regular surveillance would be carried out to eliminate the larva breeding sites.

He issued these directions while chairing a meeting held to review the implementation of anti-dengue measures. The meeting was attended by officials from the local administration, health, education and public health departments.

Mr Qammar said dengue issue should not be neglected due to the coronavirus outbreak. He said strict action would be taken against those showing negligence during indoor and outdoor surveillance in the anti-dengue campaign.

He asked for keeping surveillance teams mobilised and said their performance should be checked regularly.

The DC stressed the need to compile dengue-related data. He also highlighted the need to ensure effective monitoring through door-to-door surveillance. He directed all concerned departments to keep a close liaison with each other to completely wipe out dengue next year. He said water tanks, disposal stations and other installations of public health engineering should be supervised to eradicate the possible breeding sites of dengue larvae. He said that stagnant water should be removed immediately.

Meanwhile, an anti-dengue drive initiated by the district administration is in full swing under which surveillance is being carried out at various areas of Taxila and Wah.

Assistant Commissioner Mian Mohammad Faheem visited various areas where he checked the field staff working in streets for indoor surveillance.

He observed the attendance and performance of the dengue squad deputed on the field duty in the area. For making better arrangements to prevent dengue, it was necessary for the public to cooperate with the administration and field staff, he said and added that prevailing weather was suitable for the breeding of dengue larvae and there was a need to combat it on an emergency basis.

“To control the spread of dengue fever, indoor and outdoor surveillance has started in the areas where most patients had been reported last year.”

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2020