PESHAWAR: The health department has intensified efforts to control dengue outbreak as secretary health Adil Shah has directed to enlist public support to safeguard the people from the vector-borne ailment.

The secretary health has taken notice of the rise in cases and vowed that the department would take all necessary measures to control the spread of dengue fever in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“We urge the public to support us in combating this disease, especially during the peak dengue season,” he said.

“We have distributed 80,000 diagnostic kits to hospitals and 300,000 mosquito nets to control dengue and malaria. We have also provided 640 litres of insecticide for spraying, 1,200 litres of chemical for fumigation, and 11 kilogrammes of temephos chemical to eliminate dengue larvae,” secretary health Adil Shah said.

According to the latest statistics, 372 active dengue cases have been reported in the province, with only 21 patients hospitalised. A total of 760 dengue cases have so far been reported, with 388 patients recovering from the disease.

During the last 24 hours, 72 new cases were reported, with four patients hospitalised and the rest undergoing treatment at homes. Unfortunately, two deaths have been attributed to dengue.

Peshawar and Abbottabad are the most affected areas, with 218 and 106 reported cases, respectively. The secretary health appealed to the people to take precautionary measures to keep dengue at bay.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2024