LAKKI MARWAT: The elementary and secondary education department has asked the heads of government schools to adopt preventive measures against dengue outbreak in the district.

The instructions were issued by district education officer Abdus Salam Marwat on Saturday.

He said the provincial government had tasked the education department with certain responsibilities to stop prevalence of epidemic and keep teachers, students and other staffer safefromit.

`The schools` bosses should ensure participation of teachers and students in preventive activities and conduct daily awareness sessions in their respective institutions,` he maintained.

He directed the principals and headmasters to suspend morning assemblies or conduct the same at a different time keeping in mind the biting time of mosquito carrying dengue virus.

`The mosquito carrying dengue virus bites two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset,` he added, calling upon the schools` bosses to coordinate with local health authorities for technical support and awareness about the disease.

Meanwhile, district health officer Dr Taus told this correspondent the district health department had started holding awareness sessions in schools to sensitise teachers and students to the hazardous effects of dengue virus on human health.

The teachers and students should also disseminate valuable information about dengue virus in their respective localities, he maintained.

CATTLE PRICES UP: The prices of sacrificial animals have gone up in the local cattle markets.

Cattle markets are held in Lakki, Naurang, Darra Pezu, Tajori and Khoidadkhel locality of the Lakki city. The city cattle marketis famous for animals` trade as not only local traders but also from other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab bring animals here.

`The prices of sacrificial animals have gone beyond the reach of middle class,` said Gul Tayyaz, a local resident.

Another resident said such high rates had not been witnessed in last several years.

Shafgat Ameen, a retired bank official, said high prices of animals, especially of bulls and goats, had worried people.

The residents said they preferred to purchase animals from cattle markets in rural areas at relatively lower rates.