RAWALPINDI: The District Health Authority has called upon the citizens to ensure proper oral, internal and external hygiene to keep diseases away.

District Health Officer Dr Zeeshan said according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) the monsoon trough was likely to develop in a few days. He said the citizens should be careful during the monsoon as it reduced immunity of the body making it susceptible to seasonal diseases.

He said diseases associated with monsoon included malaria, jaundice, gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid and cholera. Puddles of water which get stagnant due to rain become a breeding ground for mosquitoes which spread diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

He advised the citizens to use mosquito nets or repellants like mats and coils.

The DHO also cautioned the citizens to avoid walking in dirty water during the rainy season because it may lead to fungal infections which affect the toes and nails.

Diabetic patients should take special care of their feet and keep them dry and clean.

The official said an anti-dengue campaign was in full swing under which surveillance was being carried out in different parts of the city.

He said it was the responsibility of every citizen to play their role in controlling dengue by adopting precautionary measures and ensuring cleanliness and not allowing water to remain stagnant in the surroundings.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2018