LAHORE: The dengue fever claimed at least 100 lives in Punjab while over 10,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed.
The provincial capital was the worst hit where 9,148 cases were reported alone.
Special units to treat dengue patients were formed at six government hospitals of Lahore and they were also provided with Rs20 million for the cause.
A team from the World Health Organization (WHO) arrived in Pakistan which will formulate a strategy to deal with the rapidly spreading virus.
Dengue precautions: Schools reopen across Punjab
Schools across Punjab reopened on Monday after a 10-day closure due to the dengue epidemic.
As per the Punjab government’s directives, the schools will operate from 9 am to 3 pm.
The Punjab government also issued strict instructions that the students should wear full sleeves to protect themselves from contracting the disease.
Schools have also revised their academic calendars after the holidays in order to make up for the loss of valuable time.
CM Punjab orders health authorities to start transfusion
Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif ordered health authorities to immediately start transfusion of the imported platelets in hospitals.
While chairing a meeting in Lahore, the chief minister said that field hospitals were set up in Punjab to combat the virus.
He also said that the government was preparing 0.5 million kits to distribute among the citizens to stop the spreading virus.
Sharif said that the kits consisted of coils, medicines and insecticides to kill mosquitoes.
CM Punjab urged people to support the government’s efforts to control the spread of the virus.
Creating awareness
People took out rallies in various cities of the country to promote awareness about the dengue virus and its precautions.
A large number of people participated in a rally that was organized by an educational institute in Hyderabad.
Flag marches were taken out in Khanpur, Liaquatpur, Sadiqabad, Sargodha and Rahim Yar Khan where fumigation was done.
The Punjab government had directed all district administration of the province earlier to observe Resolve Day against dengue on September 25.
Campaigns against dengue epidemic
The district government authorities begun campaigns in Aziz Bhatti Town and Shalimat Town in an attempt put a restraint in the deadly pandemic.
Member of National Assembly (MNA) Malik Pervaiz led a rally in Shalimar town, where the participants held placards about protective measures against the virus.
The authorities of Aziz Bhatti Town also took out a rally to spread awareness about the dengue epidemic.
Rescue teams and citizens sprayed insecticides in various parts of the town and distributed brochures among people.
The Data Ganj Banksh Town authorities staged a Punjabi play which depicted warning signs for dengue virus at The Mall in collaboration with Rafi Pir Theatre.
