LAHORE: Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique has said that only 13 confirmed dengue patients have been reported in Punjab during the current year out of which five were reported from Lahore and two from Rawalpindi.

Presiding over a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Dengue on Tuesday, he said indoor spray was being carried out as a case response strategy in that particular area from where any dengue patient was reported.

Moreover, the Technical Advisory Committee had not recommended fogging as adult dengue mosquitoes had been reported in limited number. He said excessive use of chemical was hazardous for human health.

Health Additional Director General (Vectorborne Disease) Dr Islam Zafar informed that during 2013 there were 2,629 confirmed dengue cases whereas current year only 13 confirmed dengue patients had been reported so far.

He also briefed about the dengue surveillance, vector surveillance and larvicide activities carried out by the health department.

It was also informed that indoor spray had already been completed in schools and colleges before their reopening after summer vacation.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2014