RAWALPINDI: The health department found dengue larvae in different areas of the city during the Eid holidays.

After the arrival of two dengue patients from the city areas, Punjab government was forced to cancel the holidays of health and environment department, as well as Town Municipal Administration.

The larvae were detected in 16 areas, including Khyaban-i-Sir Syed, Sadiqabad and adjoining areas.

Executive District Officer Health Dr Zafar Gondal said that teams had been formed to complete the door to door surveillance in city’s 46 union councils.

He said that the anti-dengue medicines had been sprayed at Gowalmandi and adjoining areas of Leh Nullah to avoid the outbreak of the virus in the city. He said that three sprays had been completed within five days, adding that 1,639 sites in the city, especially where the rainwater had accumulated, were covered by the teams.

District Environment department also found dengue larvae from 17 junk yards and tyre shops. District Environment Officer Mian Muhammad Nawaz said, “We asked the owners to remove the water in their compounds during and after rains, as the department’s teams plan to impose heavy fines if further dengue larvae are found in the area,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2014