GCU wins first prize on dengue research

LAHORE: Government College University (GCU) Zoology Department’s research on “transfection of locally isolated Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti” has won the first prize and cash award of Rs 100,000 at international conference on "Dengue Prevention and Control" organised by the Punjab government here at a local hotel.

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid handed over the cash award to principal researcher Prof Dr Nusrat Jahan at the concluding ceremony of the conference held under the auspices of provincial Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department.

Giving details of the research, Prof Jahan said this transfection was aimed at blocking the transmission of dengue virus to humans through its bite. She said Wolbachia made the mosquito incapable of carrying and transmitting dengue virus.

Prof Jahan believed this process was only possible way to completely eradicate dengue from Pakistan, though it would take time as it was a very complex process. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi congratulated Prof Jahan and her team on winning the award at this prestigious international conference. He said dengue was becoming an epidemic in Pakistan with over 400 deaths since 2006.