Collective, consolidated and uniform efforts are required across the country to control vector born diseases like dengue and Zika virus which spread through Ades egyptie mosquito and for this purpose Inter-Provincial Conference would be arranged very soon.
These views were expressed by the Advisor on Health Punjab, Kh. Salman Rafique while addressing the inaugural session of Five Days International Training and Consultative Workshop on Vector born diseases especially ZIKA virus at a local hotel, here today. Punjab Government, World Health Organization and University of Agriculture, Faisalabad have jointly organized the workshop. Besides, the experts from all the provinces of the country, Gilgit Baltistan, AJK, foreign delegates from Iran, Afghanistan, EMRO Region countries, Cairo and other parts of the world are participating in the workshop. Ms. Shaista Pervez Malik MNA, Head of Chief Minister Dengue Research Cell Prof. Waseem Akram, Dr. Qutbuddin Kakar from Islamabad, entomologists, Public Health Experts, member Dengue Experts Advisory Group Dr. Somiya Iqtidar, Additional Director General Dengue Control Program Dr. Fayyaz Butt and other officers of Primary and Secondary Health Department were also present in the session.
During five days workshop the participants will exchange their knowledge and experience and the experts of WHO will impart training to the local entomologists and public health experts regarding vector born diseases especially Zika virus as the Aides mosquito is the common vector for spreading of dengue as well as zika virus. The participants of the workshop would also visit agriculture university, Faisalabad and spend a day there.
While appreciating holding the training and consultative workshop, the Advisor Kh. Salman Rafique hoped that this workshop will go a long way in sensitizing and creating awareness among the local experts and for understanding methodology to control zika. He revealed that after this international workshop an Inter-Provincial conference of the experts would be organized in the coming month to evolve a joint and comprehensive strategy to combat these challenges of vector born disease on national level. The experts were of the view that since the vector of dengue and zika virus is the same i.e. dengue mosquito, therefore, if out-door and indoor surveillance for dengue would be excellent, the threat of spreading zika would automatically minimize. They said that WHO has already issued Global Health Emergency against Zika virus in Feb.2016. Though, the zika virus is not found in Pakistan so far but this disease is fast growing in some parts of the world. The most effected segment of the society from zika are the pregnant women, if the mosquito bites a pregnant woman, the virus directly affect the neonatal and infant born with neurological disorders and small head. This is a permanent disability. The experts disclosed that so far no vaccine or particular medicines produced for zika treatment. The focal person of the workshop and Head of Chief Minister Dengue Research cell Prof. Waseem Akram said that training workshop would enabled the local entomologists and epidemiologists to take effective measures before time against this vector born disease incase zika virus reported in Pakistan in coming future.