Director General Health Punjab Dr. Muhammad Aslam Ch. here on Sunday said that dengue is a domestic mosquito which flourishes in clean stagnant water, therefore, people should not left water in things like room coolers, old tyres and flower pots etc.
Director General Health, while highlighting the preventive measures against the dengue fever, said that water pots like tubs, buckets and water tanks should be kept under cover to avoid the growth of mosquitoes. Similarly, indoor spray should be conducted in bedrooms, especially in air-conditioned rooms, and doors should be closed for two hours.
He said that desert room coolers are ideal place for mosquitoes' growth therefore, the stagnant water in these coolers should be drained out. Dr. Aslam Ch. further said that dengue mosquito bites in morning and evening times. Therefore, while going outside in open places like parks, people should cover their body and use anti-mosquito lotions on uncovered parts like face and arms so that this mosquito may not bite them.
DG Health further informed that the Punjab government has provided diagnostic and treatment facilities for dengue patients in government hospitals and patients could benefit from these facilities free of cost.
He said that medical superintendent of public sector hospitals have been directed to set up isolation wards for dengue patients. He disclosed that during the month of July and August, only 6 cases of dengue have been reported in the province.
He maintained that preventive measure taken at this stage would ensure protection from dengue in the coming season. He said that health department has already started adopting all possible preventive measures against the dengue virus. With community participation, health department would succeed in curtailing the menace of dengue converting into an epidemic in the coming season, concluded the DG Health.