Eight test positive for dengue virus in Pindi
PHOTO: REUTERS
As many as eight people have been reported infected with dengue virus in Rawalpindi city so far, ringing the alarming bell for the administration of a possible outbreak.
Rawalpindi Commissioner Muhammad Mehmood chaired the meeting district profile committee at his office on Tuesday, to review efforts for the elimination of the larvae of aedes aegypti, the mosquito that causes dengue fever.
He was informed that as yet, some eight people have been infected with the mosquito-borne disease in Rawalpindi. Seven of these people have recovered while one was still under treatment.
The commissioner was also briefed that only 14 coronavirus positive patients were hospitalised in Rawalpindi who were being provided best healthcare facilities.
Addressing the meeting, the commissioner directed the administration to improve the drainage system in the district and ascertain that rainwater did not remain stagnant at any point.
Further, the official instructed the related officials to make strict security arrangements for Chehlum processions and congregations. He also ordered to take measures to reduce the number of polio refusal cases in the district.
Mehmood said that all children entering Rawalpindi particularly from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) must be administered polio drops.
He ordered the education officials to complete cleanliness drives in schools and colleges in the district before reopening.
The officer directed a crackdown against hoarders and elements involved in artificial price hike of essential commodities.
Households refuse dengue check
The anti-dengue surveillance teams have been denied entry in some 3,300 households in different areas of the garrison city during the survelliance drive, officials told The Express Tribune.
As many as 3,300 families refused to get their houses examined by the surveillance teams, saying that they knew the science behind breeding mosquito larvae and were aware of measures to cull them.
The recent development has alarmed the health department and district administration.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anwarul Haq has ordered the Civil Defence Department (CDD) to ensure checking of all refusal domestic and commercial establishments.
The highest numbers of such cases - 2,000 - were reported from the Chakala Scheme I and III in Cantonment circle, considered to be posh areas. Some 1,000 households denied access to surveillance teams in the Potohar circle while 300 were reported from the Rawal circle.
Sources added that the anti-dengue teams have prepared lists of all such houses and the inspection process was expected to start in two days.
Schools sealed
The Rawalpindi education department sealed some four private schools after recovering dengue larvae from the premises. A public dispensary was also issued the notice after the recovery of mosquito larvae during the inspection by CDD.
The third-party conducted its survey in different private schools located in different areas including Dhok Ratta, Adyala Road, Union Councils (UCs) six and 84. The teams destroyed larvae at the spots and sent a report to the Rawalpindi DC as well.
DC said that after monsoon rains, the dengue season had begun which was expected to continue until November end. He added that they were following a zero-tolerance policy in the anti-dengue campaign.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2020.