LAHORE, Aug 18: Warning elected representatives and officials concerned of possible dengue outbreak during the season, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered various steps to help keep a check on breeding of mosquito larvae, especially in Lahore during Eid holidays.

He was presiding over a meeting attended by Education Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, his Advisor Salman Rafique, members of national and provincial assemblies, additional chief secretary, secretaries of various departments, Lahore Division commissioner and DCO, LDA director general and other senior officers, a handout said on Saturday.

The chief minister said dengue control arrangements in the city during Eid days had been finalised and emergency response committees had been activated in all the nine towns. He directed the officials that attendance of the staff working under emergency response committees should be ensured at all cost and strict action be taken against those remaining absent.

He said as eradication of dengue mosquito was possible through elimination of its larvae, so in case of detection of the same preventive measures should be taken. He said there should be no negligence in carrying out spray and fogging at sensitive places.

He said cleanliness should be ensured at private schools and the institutions failing to take anti-dengue steps should be sealed.

Warning about possibility of existence of dengue larvae at industrial units, he directed industries secretary to ensure anti-dengue arrangements in factories throughout the province.

The CM said people’s cooperation was crucial to overcoming dengue so an awareness campaign be launched in this regard. He said an outdoor awareness campaign for eradication of dengue through billboards, banners etc be launched.

He said immediate disposal of rainwater accumulated in low-lying areas be ensured and proper chemical treatment of it be arranged to check breeding of dengue larvae there. He also ordered release of larvae-eating fish at such spots.

The chief minister said keeping in view the report about the presence of dengue larvae at Railway Colony, Lahore, special attention should be paid to the area.

Issuing orders for drying up of all decorative fountains in the city, the chief minister said swimming pools should also be made dengue-free through use of chemicals.

He said warehouses would be constructed for storing anti-dengue equipment in big cities within two months.

He said the process of training volunteers for checking the likely outbreak of dengue fever should be accelerated.

Dr Faisal Masood informed the meeting that at present dengue situation was far better than that of the previous year when hundreds of people were affected by dengue during these months.

Secretaries of the departments concerned gave detailed briefing to the chief minister about the steps taken for eradication of dengue.