University of Agriculture, Faisalabad has been transformed as a Dengue Mosquito free campus by launching an aggressive eradication campaign at students’ hostels, class rooms, residential colonies and open areas. This was declared by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while leading an awareness walk here on Wednesday morning. The walk was organized by Department of Entomology to mark the day as an Anti Dengue Day at Campus on the directives of the Punjab Government.

Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that the University is heading the R&D program of the Punjab Government and providing trained manpower to the program. He uploaded the efforts of the scientists and staff involved in the dengue mosquitoes eradication campaign. He said that climate change is posing new challenges to health and food security for the growing population adding that changing climate was providing suitable environment for breeding of dengue larva in the region and warned that by the end of this century, the world temperature would rise 1 to 3 degree that can affect half of world population. He stressed the need for taking collaborative measures by all segments of society to control the breeding of dengue mosquitoes. He urged the people to keep the home, environment and surrounding environment clean and hygienic by removing all stagnant water and containers, avoid accumulation of ground water, fill up all defective grounds and proper dispose of the plastic bags. He lauded the steps being taken by the provincial government to control the breeding of dengue larva. He said that observing the Dengue Day was the part of Chief Minister Campaign aimed at educating the masses about prevention. Dean Faculty of Agriculture Prof Dr Riaz Ahmad urged the people to enhance their role in the campaign by raising awareness. He said that it was our responsibility to serve the community in order to save the precious lives from dengue. He urged the people to play their due role in the community services for the national cause. He said the sociologist should come up with the research on the behavioral changes and awareness among the masses about the dengue so that weak areas can be addressed effectively.

Chairman Department of Entomology Prof Dr Muhammad Jalal Arif said that his department was making all-out efforts to conduct the valuable research on dengue and to raise the awareness by arranging seminars, workshops in line with the directives of provincial government. He said that they were working on comprehensive campaign for the last three years in order to address the issue at national level. He called for wrapping all unused plastic tyres and regular change of water in animal drinking containers. He said that the He said that his department had been running various research projects by setting up Dengue Group to combat this havoc. Dr Shahid Majid said that unplanned increasing population, deforestation, urbanization and climate changes were also causing its outbreak. He added that there are 3500 mosquitoes species and dengue mosquitoe attacks in the time of sunrise and sunset. So wear the full sleeve dress in the time. The mosquito lays the eggs at the stagnant water so there breeding areas like tyres, street holes, ground holes, fridge tray, leaking water, air coolers, tree holes, birds spot must be taken care to ensure.