Over 70 school girls fall unconscious from anti-dengue spray in Jhelum

JHELUM: The number of school girls who fell unconscious after an anti-dengue fumigation campaign being carried out at their school has risen to over 70.

The incident took place at the Domaili Girls High School and the affected students were rushed to a local hospital for treatment.

Provincial Education Minister Rana Mashood said the fumigation campaign was carried out on Friday but its impact was felt today.

“Strict instructions were given after the Jand incident. The fumigation was carried out yesterday and it was so intense that it's impact was felt today. Action would be taken against those responsible for not following SOPs,” Mashood told reporters.

In a similar incident, 120 school girls in Jand district of Attock were rushed to the hospital on Thursday following an anti-dengue fumigation campaign at their school. Several of the girls had to be readmitted to the hospital the next day as they complained of difficulty breathing.

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of the incident and summoned a report from the concerned officials and departments. CM Shahbaz Sharif termed the incident unacceptable and directed that best medical treatment be provided to the affected.

The chief minister has also suspended the DCOs and EDOs Health of Attock and Jhelum.