MANSEHRA, Oct 27: The health department has failed to launch a fumigation drive in the rural areas of Mansehra to control spread of dengue virus in the district.

So far 180 dengue cases have been reported to King Abdullah Teaching Hospital in the district.

The municipal committee is currently holding third round of anti-dengue fumigation drive in urban areas keeping in view the growing number of dengue cases but no such drive has been carried out in other parts of the district.

`People of the rural areas are more scared of dengue virus as more and more cases are being reported not only in Mansehra but also in other parts of the province, Advocate Mohammad Riaz Khan told journalists here on Sunday. He said that dengue cases were being reported in Kohistan, Battagram and Shangla, having boundaries with Mansehra.

The dengue virus would spread in the district if health department didn`t take precautionary measures againstit, Mr Khan said, adding that at least 180 dengue patients were taken to King Abdullah hospital only and 90 per cent of them were discharged after complete recovery.

`We have established isolation wards for the dengue patients where as many as 25 patients can be kept and treated. Currently 13 suspected cases of the disease are being treated,` said Dr Niaz Mohammad, medical superintendent of the hospital, when contacted.

He said that although most of dengue patients, admitted to the hospital, belonged to urban areas yet residents of rural were also treated at the hospital.

Despite repeated efforts the district health officer of Mansehra couldn`t be contacted for his comment.

CLEANLINESS: The students of Hazara University, government high school Naran and members of provincial youth advisory board on Sunday removed a large quantity of garbage scattered around the lake Saiful Muluk to observe `environmentalcleanup day` organised by Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP).

`The environmental cleanup day will create awareness among masses about the hazards caused by pollution, Mohammad Ali Syed, the general manager of PCKP, told journalists.

The event, a part of a series of events being organised in Hazara by TCKP to create awareness about the importance of pollution-free environment and preserve natural beauty and heritage, was attended by more than 150 people including 30 women.

Mr Syed said that 100 bags of garbage, tins and polythene shoppers were collected from around the lake to preserve its natural beauty and make it pollution-free.

He said that local people and hoteliers also took part in the campaign after attending an awareness session.

MPA Abdul Sattar Khan and Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Asghar also joined the drive along with other officials of the local administration.