The District Health Authority (DHA) has called the commercial outlets, educational and healthcare establishments to adhere to the dengue SOPs in efforts to prevent dengue spread.
A notice in this regard has been issued by the Rawalpindi District Health Officer, Dr. Ehsan Ghani stating for stern actions against the violators. The owners and managers of shops, factories, workshops, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, theatres, educational institutions, government and private health centers, under-construction buildings, plazas, vacant plots, government offices, private commercial establishments have been informed that dengue fever is a deadly disease that is spread by dengue mosquitoes and the infected person.
Dr. Ehsan said that it is an offence to spread the disease by deliberately or unintentionally causing the breeding of dangerous mosquitoes, dengue and malaria, which is punishable by imprisonment for a term of six months to two years and fine.
“You are hereby directed to keep underground or overhead water sources, water tanks etc. covered. Keep kitchens clean and do not collect water in empty containers. Keep scrap metal, spare tires, water dispensers, inner coolers, etc. in a neat and orderly manner and dispose of used water on a daily basis”, said the health officer.
The notice reads that non-compliance or violation of the prevailing health and hygiene laws may result in the sealing of your business, property or prosecution in the relevant police station.
The health authority has already intensified its surveillance campaign regarding tracing and actions on dengue larvae detection. The health authority officials have taken serious notice of report regarding dengue larvae detection in some commercial outlets.
During the inspection drive, 74 sites were detected positive with dengue larvae out of 334 inspections, to which DHA registered 15 FIRs against the violators, along with a number of other punitive actions including sealing, financial penalties and warnings.
Dr. Waqar, DHA spokesman shared with APP that the health authority has been pursuing a zero-tolerance policy in this regard, as directed by provincial health authorities.