Staff Reporter
KARACHI - Dengue Prevention and Control Programme (DPCP) with a view to creating awareness about dengue viral fever among students is planning to organize awareness sessions in schools and colleges of the metropolis.
According to the city’s director health, Dr Zafar Ejaz, who is also the DPCP’s acting project manager, said that dengue fever’s peak season has already begun in the city with the onset of monsoon and hence the need of the hour is to adopt preventive measures to protect from dengue fever.
In this regard, he informed that all town health officers (THOs) have been directed to organize dengue fever awareness pogrammes in their respective towns.
FUMIGATION DRIVE: He said that Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has also been asked to immediately launch fumigation campaign in every nook and cranny of the city so as to eliminate dengue larva in an effective manner.
Moreover, directives have also been issued to the heads of public sector hospitals for taking preventive measures in their health care facilities on a war-footing basis.
Terming dengue fever a `social’ issue, he said it could only be controlled or eliminated through joint efforts of both the community and the government.
Giving break-up of dengue fever cases, he said of the total 796 dengue fever cases reported across the province during the current year, 770 were detected in Karachi alone, whereas the remaining cases were reported from other parts of the province.
Meanwhile, another official of the DPCP, who wished not to quoted, said that demographics changes, lack of proper disposal of garbage and open drains were the main causes behind dengue fever in the city.
He advised the people to keep their food items and water properly covered at homes during fumigation in their localities.
He was the view that media could play a vital role in creating awareness about dengue viral fever.