Effective steps urged to control 'Chikungunya' virus

Punjab Minister for Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafiq has directed that all the concerned departments should take effective measures to control dengue as well as Chikungunya virus in Punjab.
While chairing a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Dengue, here on Monday, Salman also directed that intensive dengue surveillance was needed for effective control on dengue and Chikungunya virus. "Though the Chikungunya is not a fatal disease, however, the vector of dengue and Chikungunya is the same mosquito."
Salman Rafiq directed that secretaries/senior officers of the departments should ensure their presence in the Cabinet Committee on Dengue for taking immediate decisions. Besides, Members Punjab Assembly Lubna Faisal and Pir Ashraf Rasool, Secretary P&S Health Ali Jan Khan, Special Secretary Health Dr Faisal Zahoor, ex-VC KEMU Prof. Faisal Masood and officers from all the concerned departments were present at the meeting.
Deputy Commissioners and CEOs of District Health Authorities of Rawalpindi, Gunranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Jhang, Attock, Rahim Yar Khan, Chakwal and Sargodha also participated in the meeting through video link and shared the measures taken for dengue control in their respective districts.
Addl Director General Dengue Control Dr Farrukh Sultan informed that dengue larvae are being reported during indoor and outdoor surveillance.
Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan said additional staff including entomologists would be provided to the high risk districts. He said there was no ban on the recruitment on the sanctioned posts and CEO of District Health Authority is authorized to hire the services of the staff against the vacant posts.