Dengue virus: state-of-the-art research centre likely to be set up

A state-of-the-art research centre on dengue virus is likely to be set up on the directive of Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to fight the disease affecting 500 people daily and killing 9 to 10 people in a day. A feasibility report on the project will be finalised by the panel of scientists from various faculties of the university.
The research centre will work for Chief Minister's Dengue Research and Development (R&D) Programme. Dr Waseem Akram, Head R&D Programme will present the report before the Punjab chief secretary on October 10. In this connection, Dr Waseem Akram visited the UAF on Saturday and called on UAF vice-chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmed Khan along with Deans and Directors at Syndicate Room.
The research centre will cover all aspects of dengue including prevention, immunisation, vaccines, biodiversity, impact of climate changes, entomological practices, biological control, botanical and social factors. The vice-chancellor said that the university would conduct a series of lectures on dengue every Saturday from 10:00am to 11:00am that will be opened for all public and civil society.
The lectures are aimed at educating the public about the prevention and sensitising them about the disease. He said a stall comprising all aspects of dengue including rearing and life cycle, its control and preventive measures for the awareness of general public during four-day Rabi Kissan festival being celebrated by the university from October 19 to October 22.
The vice-chancellor said that UAF is the best place to conduct the research because the virus is not only biting the humans but also affecting livestock and birds. He also directed the scientists of the university to identify the plants that cause a decrease in the population of virus. He said that the university has taken up the issue already and has conducted some researches on the virus.
Dr Waseem, in a message of Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, lauded the efforts made by the University's scientists for the development of the agricultural sector in the country. He said precautionary measures and general information about dengue is being included in the curriculum for the school students.
He said intensity of dengue virus had boosted up in the year of 2006 in the history of the country and now the situation has worsen as 14,000 cases of dengue have been reported. He said to cope with the situation, the Punjab government is turning all stones and it is the need of the hour to devise a long-term planning in which the researches would play a pivotal role.
The vice-chancellor stressed the need to adopt drip irrigation in the lawn of houses of the people residing in the posh areas. It will be precautionary measure to fight the virus as the irrigation system curtails the trend of accumulated and static water on the grounds.