No dengue case reported in Lahore

Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab for Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq said that seven-year-old girl Maryam reported in a private hospital previous day was not a dengue patient. He said that on receiving information through media, he immediately reached the hospital and after consultation with doctors, the patient was shifted to Jinnah Hospital where necessary diagnostic tests were carried out and it was found that she was not suffering from dengue.
While addressing an emergent press conference here today, Salman Rafiq appealed to the private hospitals if they diagnose any possible dengue patient, they should immediately inform Dengue Cell or Dengue Experts Advisory Group of Health Department. He said that the private hospitals had fully extended co-operation to the government including free treatment to the patients during dengue virus last year and we again expect same co-operation from them.
He said that according to the information no dengue larva has been found anywhere, however, all preparations are complete in all hospitals of Punjab government and the government with the co-operation of media and civil society will take all necessary measures in this regard. He stated that High Dependency Units have been set up for dengue patients in all hospitals whereas guidelines are being provided to the public through Helpline 0800-99000.
Replying a question, Rafiq said that in view of the last year's experience, better arrangements have been made to prevent the outbreak of dengue. He appealed to people to ensure cleanliness in their surroundings and should not let the water accumulate in and outside their houses.
Professor Javed Akram said on the occasion that seven years' old Maryam of Gulshan-e-Ravi fell victim to dengue three months ago and is again suffering from fever for the last ten days but after all necessary tests it has proved that she is not dengue positive and her NS-I test is also negative. He said that Professor Faisal Masood had also examined the patient and declared that she is not a dengue patient now she is being treated for typhoid in Jinnah Hospital.
Entomologist Professor Waseem Akram said that dengue surveillance is being carried out at a large scale in the province and dengue larva has not been detected anywhere. EDO Health Lahore Dr Inam-ul-Haq informed about vector surveillance and other activities for curbing dengue virus in different areas of the city. DG Health Punjab Dr Nisar Ahmad Cheema said that media should play its due role in promoting awareness about dengue as the community plays the most important part in dengue control.
Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister Mansha Ullah Butt told reporters that the Environment Protection Department (EPD) will leave no stone unturned to dispel dengue virus in the province, however, the real measure to prevent dengue proliferation is through the people and their domestic practices.
"EPD played its role as regulatory, enforcement and awareness body during the dengue upsurge," he said at a press conference. He mentioned that despite limited resources and manpower, the department identified and eliminated 2,066 larvae hatching spots in the provincial metropolis.
Dozens of FIRs have been registered against 65 government departments, 38 private tyres warehouses and junkyards where the dengue larvae were found during the course of dengue campaign. Besides, 118 factories and warehouses had also been sealed for providing dengue prone environment in the city.