Dengue red alert issued for twin cities after cases spurt

Number of cases in Rawalpindi, Islamabad has risen to 20

RAWALPINDI:

Health authorities have issued a dengue red alert for the twin cities after the number of cases reached 20 in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

According to sources, the increase in the number of patients has caused panic among health officials, who have cautioned about the dengue outbreak from September to October 31.

The number of dengue patients has risen to seven in Rawalpindi and 13 in Islamabad 13, while the number of suspected dengue patients has crossed 50 in both the cities.

All areas at the confluence of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Islamabad Expressway, IJ Principal Road, Bhatta Chowk, Tarnol have been declared dangerous.

The highest number of three dengue patients has been reported within the limits of Cantonment Board Rawalpindi.

In Rawalpindi, dengue cases have been reported in Dhok Hasso, Dhaman Syedan, Pirudhai, Bangash Colony, Sagri, Fauji Colony, Chaklala. These areas have been declared hotspots for the spread of dengue. Large numbers of dengue larvae have also been found in homes in these areas.

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A meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali was informed that 1601 houses were searched in Rawalpindi Cantonment in August and the dengue larvae were found in 95 areas. A survey of 1189 houses was carried out within the limits of the Metropolitan Municipal Corporation and the larvae were found in 62 of them.

In Pothohar Town, 3405 houses were surveyed for dengue out of which 142 houses were found to have dengue larvae. A large number of dengue larvae have been found in 81 places, including under-construction buildings, open ponds and house tanks during a third-party survey. Dengue larvae were recovered from 15634 houses and 217 open spaces, buildings under construction, tyre shops, commercial spots in seven tehsils of the district Rawalpindi, Gujar Khan, Klar Syedan, Kahuta, Kotli Satyan, Murree.

The meeting was told that 12 male and male sanitary workers missing from dengue duty have been suspended. Special wards have also been set up in hospitals for the treatment of dengue patients, the meeting was told.

Meanwhile, the District Emergency Response Committee (DERC) has decided to launch an anti-dengue drive in 2,308 houses and 167 hotspots despite in district Rawalpindi.

It has been decided to maintain a full focus on the anti-dengue campaign after the red alert was issued. According to officials, the dengue threat cannot be ignored as the change in the weather remained the same.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2021.