Prevention is always better than cure. Our government must acknowledge this fact before treating dengue fever this season.

Last year, the provinces took some reactionary steps but it was too late. They opened hotlines for reporting new cases, provided awareness at different forums, called in experts from Sri-Lanka and Indonesia for assisting them, article 144 was declared in Lahore, education centers were closed for 10 days, army camps were setup for free blood tests and provided free platelets facility at some local hospitals. Despite, such untimely measures over 300 people died due to this deadly mosquito virus and 20,000 were infected.

Preemptive actions are required to handle and control dengue fever. March is the breeding month of dengue mosquitoes. Early spraying and awareness must be spread in every nook and corner to stop it from laying eggs and eventually the virus from spreading like a wild fire.

No matter how costly this is for the government, it would not be costlier than innocent lives. It is a social affair to save precious lives and for that matter each one of us is responsible of his part. I am afraid that if it is not treated on time this year, who knows how many could die?

MUHAMMAD NAUMAN Lahore