LAHORE: As 26,000 dengue hotspots have been identified by surveillance teams in Lahore, the number of dengue positive cases has touched 270, of them 30 were reported on Wednesday.

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), Zonal, City District and Divisional Administrations, Public Health and others concerned have accelerated the drive to trace and destruct dengue larvae by adopting preventive measures in a bid to control spread of dengue in the Punjab capital.

“The situation seems alarming since the present weather enables breeding and growth of dengue mosquito,” an official told Dawn on Thursday.

According to official data, the number of dengue positive cases in Lahore is 270. The number of probable and suspected dengue cases is 12 and 64. The data shows that the teams carried out anti-dengue spray (fumigation) in 920 houses whereas the teams detected as many as 1,037 dengue larvae at various spots of the city. Following detection of dengue larvae, the teams carried out spray at 10,370 spots. Besides this, dengue related activities including awareness were also carried out at several spots.

“Proper surveillance of dengue is a need of the hours. Therefore, the teams, under the set protocol, are required to carry out anti-dengue spray in 17 and outside 49 houses nearby the house where the dengue patient lives,” Lahore Commissioner Muhamad Ali Randhawa said while monitoring the field teams at Model Town on Thursday.

Mr Randhawa also appealed to the public at large to keep checking and drying their rooftops, sheds, coolers and plant pots, lawns, etc.

Meanwhile the PHA on Thursday also reviewed progress of the ongoing drive against dengue and took measures to “provide a healthy environment” to the residents of the city, according to a spokesperson. Field directors have been instructed to ensure the implementation of the dengue standard operating procedures.

Earlier this week, dengue spraying operations were initiated at various PHA facilities, including offices, workshops, washrooms, nurseries, and fountains. He said that a huge number of mosquito killer fishes has also been released in fountains and other water resources under the PHA areas to prevent the larvae from nurturing and spreading the virus.

“The fumigation is also being carried out along the major roads, while the plugging of potholes and ditches was also underway,” he added.

He said since the PHA is responsible for taking care of the city’s green spaces, it has a big role in stopping the disease. He also stressed raising awareness among the members of society on the subject, observing that it would sensitise people to the harms caused by the virus and help promote a sense of responsibility.

“The latest crackdown on the disease by the authority also involves collaborative efforts with other organs of the provincial government to implement real-time initiatives and conduct awareness sessions,” the spokesperson maintained.

TEPA: Traffic, Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (Tepa) on Thursday launched patchwork at various city roads, starting from Abdul Sattar Edhi Road near Wapda Town.

The PHA team led by the Chief Engineer Mr Iqrar Hussain started the work after rehabilitation and resumption of the operation of LDA-owned Asphalt Plant, according to a spokesman.

LESCO: Lahore Electric Supply Company Chief Executive Officer Shahid Haidar on Thursday directed the administration department to expedite related to floating of tenders and completion of the procurement of new bucket cranes in a bid to improve repair and maintenance related jobs in all service areas of Lahore and adjoining districts.

Meanwhile, according to a spokesman, a surveillance and investigation team while visiting Sheikhupura road subdivision found several people as stealing electricity through 84 electricity connections. These included 28 stealing power directly from the main 11kV lines and 19 people through tempering meters.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2023