LAHORE, Oct 9: Health Secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad has suspended Chakwal Executive District Officer (Health) Dr Arshad Ali Sabir for his failure to timely take anti-dengue fever measures.

District Officer (Health) Dr Nasir Mahmood has been given additional charge of the EDO for the time being. The health secretary has taken the action on the orders of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, says a handout. Mr Fawad said the chief minister, while taking strict notice of outbreak of dengue fever in Chakwal, had directed the health department to take action against the persons responsible for negligence. He said the EDO was responsible for taking preventing measures like fumigation but he failed to do so.

He said spray had now been carried out in dengue-hit Dhudial, Faimkasar, Bhain and other places. Arrangements had been made also for anti-mosquito fumigation in other areas of Chakwal.

Health Services Director (Rawalpindi) Dr Zafar Iqbal Gondal said 49 suspected cases of dengue had been reported and six of them had been tested positive.