Experts on Saturday warned of 30 percent excessive rainfall during this monsoon compared to last year that would provide favorable conditions for dengue rearing. They addressed the seminar and walk at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad to mark the anti-dengue day. An awareness walk led by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan was taken out from Admin Block and a seminar was held at the New Senate Hall.

Experts on Saturday warned of 30 percent excessive rainfall during this monsoon compared to last year that would provide favorable conditions for dengue rearing. They addressed the seminar and walk at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad to mark the anti-dengue day. An awareness walk led by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan was taken out from Admin Block and a seminar was held at the New Senate Hall. Faculty of Agriculture Dean Dr Muhammad Riaz, Faculty of Agri Engineering Dean Dr Allah Buksh, Faculty of Social Sciences Dean Dr Iqbal Zafar, Department of Entomology Chairman Dr Jalal Arif along with a large number of faculty members and students participated. Addressing on the occasion, Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan showed his concern that the people don’t dispose off their plastic bags, bottles etc at the bin. He urged the experts, government and semi government functionaries, private sector and civil society to pace up their efforts for creating awareness among the general public. He lauded the steps being taken on the part of government to eradicate the dengue from the province. He said that UAF was the partnered with Punjab Government in the anti dengue drive. Multiple researches are being carried out to fight with the challenges. He called for wrapping all unused plastic tyres and regular change of water in animal drinking containers. Chairman Entomology Prof Dr Jalal Arif briefed that University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) has always been a partner of Punjab Government in solving the dengue issues. He said that University has been transformed as a Dengue Mosquito free campus by launching an aggressive eradication campaign at students’ hostels, class rooms, residential colonies and open areas. He was of the view that the said area was being stretched to every corner of the province. He said that they were providing consultancy to government about the analysis of pesticides procured by the government. He said that his department had been running various research projects by setting up Dengue Group to combat this havoc. Head Punjab Research and Development Dengue Programme Prof Dr Waseem Akram said that last year, the first dengue was reported in August. But this year, we have received 53 dengue cases even before the advent of August. He said that the Punjab government was making all-out efforts with the help of modern techniques, research works and social mobilization. He said we should keep our environment neat and clean to avoid such diseases. He also called for adopting the preventive measures at the individual level for which joint efforts are needed to sensitize the people about the issue. He said that in the last year monsoon season , first dengue was reported in August but this year, around 50 dengue cases have been reported so far. He said that the Punjab government was using all possible measures to eradicate the disease. Assistant Professor Dr Shahid Majeed said deforestation, urbanization and climate changes were also causing its outbreak. He added that there are 3500 mosquitoes’ species and dengue mosquitoes’ attacks in the time of sunrise and sunset. So wear the full sleeve dress in the time. The mosquito lays the eggs at the stagnant water so there breeding areas like tyres, street holes, ground holes, fridge tray, leaking water, air coolers, tree holes, birds spot must be taken care to ensure. Assistant Professor Dr Rashid Rasul also spoke on the occasion.