The Punjab government has decided to impose a fine on the persons not taking preventive measures against dengue in Rawalpindi. This decision has been taken after the health officials said that the tyre shop owners were sent many notices to take preventive measures but they were not paying heed to the orders. Advisor to the Chief Minister Punjab on Dengue, Khawaja Salman Rafiq said that dengue virus may spread in Rawalpindi from the adjoining districts and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, therefore the efforts to fight the epidemic should be accelerated. He issued the directive in a meeting at the DCO’s office. The meeting was attended by DCO, Sajid Zafar, EDO Health Dr. Zafar Iqbal Gondal, DO Health, Dr. Khalid Randhawa and other higher officials of the district. Giving a briefing to the meeting, EDO Health and DO Health said that the number of dengue patients in teaching hospitals has reached 20. He said that the dengue larvae is in large number in Rawal Town, therefore a greater emphasis is being given to the high risk areas.
