ISLAMABAD: Pre-empting the onset of monsoon season, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched an anti-dengue campaign in the city to tackle even the negligible traces of dengue virus that have been found in the federal capital.

During a high-level meeting presided over by Member Administration CDA Amer Ali, on Tuesday, the officials of the directorate of health services (DHS) stated that out of 12,312 samples of mosquitoes, only three were found carrying dengue virus.

It was thus decided that DHS would administer anti-dengue spray and fumigation at public places, including markets, parks, schools and mosques, on a regular basis.

The DHS official informed the meeting that the fumigation and spray had been conducted at 428 houses, 28 mosques and Imambargahs, 13 markets, 58 government institutions, 24 nullahs, eight schools, six parks, six hospital, 610 streets, 107 blocks and seven katchi abadis.

All departments directed to play their part, citizens to also be engaged in the campaign

The weekly bazaar were sprayed and fumigated 28 times, while the I.J. Principal Road received five rounds of the insecticides.

Member administration CDA also asked to involve the public and residents of the city in the drive.

He stressed on the need to display awareness literature and banners at public places, inviting citizens to take part in curbing the virus.

It was also decided that the sanitation directorate would ensure cleanliness of the city on a regular basis and dispose of garbage and solid waste using scientific methods.

The meeting further noted that the enforcement directorate would pay special attention to the tyre shops, while conducting their anti-encroachment operations in the city.

The environment directorate was directed to ensure regular trimmings of grass and removal of shrubs, along with clearing rainwater from ditches.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2014