TAXILA: The health authorities in Taxila have accelerated their efforts to combat the spread of dengue virus, particularly in commercial areas and sealed as many as six potential breeding sites during the operation on Wednesday.
The teams led by Assistant Commissioner Maria Javed and deputy district officer health Dr Shahzad Rasool along with Tehsil Entomologist Mian Israr Ali paid surprise visits to various commercial areas including service stations, block factories, hotels, workshops, junkyards and marble factories.
During the campaign, the officials conducted door-to-door inspections of drinking water quality and storage conditions, both considered major contributing factors in mosquito breeding and the spread of waterborne diseases. During the operation, dengue larvae were found at several sites, which were fumigated immediately.
Talking to newsmen, deputy district officer health Dr Shahzad Rasool said that dengue surveillance teams were being specially monitored and checked through third party validation to make the field activities effective.
Responding to a question, he said that the current temperature was very suitable for the breeding of dengue larvae, in view of which all government departments should play their role in anti-dengue activities by ensuring the implementation of the prescribed standard operating procedures.
He urged people to keep their homes, environment and surroundings clean, remove all stagnant water and containers, avoid accumulation of water and dispose of plastic bags properly.
“The city administration is giving top priority to cleanliness by involving the public so that the risk of dengue breeding can be minimised by keeping the environment clean,” said Assistant Commissioner Taxila Maria Javed while talking to newsmen.
Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2025