Dengue emergency declared as cases surge

Cases soar to 137 in Islamabad, Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

At least 137 new dengue cases were reported in Islamabad and Rawalpindi during the last 24 hours.

Of the confirmed dengue-infected cases, 72 have been reported in Islamabad and 65 in Rawalpindi.

The total number of suspected dengue patients has surged to 410 in the twin cities.

Authorities have declared the next two months ideal for the growth of dengue larvae amidst intermittent rains.

District and health authorities have declared a dengue emergency in Rawalpindi’s Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, District Headquarters Hospital and Cantonment General Hospital till November 30.

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The health authorities have issued orders to immediately increase the number of dengue wards in all these healthcare facilities.

The strength of medical and non-medical staff in all hospitals has also been enhanced.

The Rawalpindi administration recovered larvae in vast quantities from water in Allama Iqbal Park.

After a third-party survey, three dengue workers, including two women, have been suspended after they were found absent from duty in Bangash Colony.

The dengue workers were Saadia Tufail, Fouzia Fazal and Abdul Shakoor.

According to health authorities, 30 dengue cases have surfaced in Rawalpindi Cantonment Board jurisdiction, 13 in Rawal Town, 12 in Potohar Town and three each from Chakala Cantonment Board, Taxila and Kahuta.

One dengue patient from Gujjar Khan was also landed in the hospital.

Congested buildings and houses, tyre shops, junkyards, cemeteries, all small and large amusement parks and drainage systems have been declared extremely ideal for the growth of dengue larvae.

The district administration has issued strict orders for checking all buildings and structures closed for a long time.

The administration has also ordered the inspection of cemeteries and the destruction of dengue larvae from stagnant water.

In Rawalpindi, Bangash Colony, Kartarpura, Dhok Babu Irfan, Bani neighbourhood and Sadiqabad have been declared dengue hotspots.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali has instructed third-party teams to inspect areas cleared by the administration teams.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2021.