HARIPUR, July 4: Despite repeated reminders, the provincial health department has not released funds for preventive measures against dengue fever and malaria in the district, sources said on Sunday.

Sources said that in view of prevalence of dengue fever, the executive district officer, health, had written to the provincial health authorities and sought release of funds and deputation of staff for spraying insecticides in some areas.

According an entomologist, the mosquito breeding season usually begins in the last week of June and as per rules the health department is required to ensure the spray of insecticide from July 1 to Sept 15 every year.

Local authorities surveyed the affected areas and submitted a report about funds, manpower and other facilities required in this regard to the district coordination officer and the provincial health department in March.

The department needed 2,851kg of insecticide and 616 sets of uniform, gloves, glasses and masks for the staff, they said. The sources said that since 160 spray guns were out of order, the department demanded spares for those.