Researchers urged to produce state-of-the-art dengue repellent

Speakers on Saturday urged the researchers to produce state-of-the-art dengue repellent to fight epidemic virus that had taken lives of many people in its outbreak last year. They were addressing a seminar arranged by Endowment Fund at New Senate Hall. UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan presided over the session, while Dr Abbas Ali, Chief Scientist, National Centre for Natural Product Research, University of Mississippi, USA was the chief guest.
Dr Abbas Ali said that they had collected the extracts of 25,000 plants and working on them to produce fatal diseases repellent including dengue, cancer etc. He said that the oil of a plant Jatropha is one the best repellent of the dengue. He added that his organisation had a strong liaison with various institutes in Pakistan, India and other Asian countries. He showed his intention to develop the same bridge with the UAF in giving solution to the various diseases facing the country.
Talking about a plant Deet, he expressed his view that it was the most common active ingredient in insect repellents. It is to be applied to the skin or to clothing, it provides protection against tick bites, mosquito bites, chiggers, and other insects that can transmit disease. The UAF Vice Chancellor lauding the steps taken by the Punjab Government for curbing the virus urged the general public to join hands in order to make Pakistan a dengue free country.