Twin cities see rise in dengue cases

Medical experts warn of dengue infection surge in rainy season

RAWALPINDI:

The number of dengue patients has increased drastically in the twin cities despite efforts by federal and Punjab governments.

Medical professionals have warned of dengue infections’ increase during rainy days, terming it optimal for larvae growth. Dedicated teams have launched anti-dengue spray in Rawalpindi district to prevent growth of mosquitoes causing dengue fever.

The number of dengue patients in Lahore has risen to 2606, which is the highest level.

Islamabad is ranked second as the number of dengue patients has reached to 1,035 while the number of dengue patients in Rawalpindi is 442. Thirty-three cases were reported in Attock and seven in Chakwal.

The number of suspected dengue patients has soared to over 3,000 in the twin cities. Government hospitals have a large number of patients than private. Over 100 dengue patients are admitted to private hospitals.

Read No let-up in dengue cases in Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonments Boards’ areas have become the hotspot of dengue. Dengue cases were reported in Dhok Hassu, Pirwadhai, Dhoke Syedan and Gulistan Colony.

During a meeting held on Friday to discuss current dengue situation, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Muhammad Ali rebuked District Health Officers of Cantonment Board Rawalpindi and Chaklala, Dr Raza, and Dr Nasir and ordered them to speed up the work to identify dengue larvae hotspots and anti-dengue spray. Deputy Commissioner has also decided to pay surprise visits to dengue wards in hospitals and listen to the complaints of the patients.

The deputy commissioner has asked health officers to focus on the treatment of dengue patients. “There will be no shortage of funds for treatment,” Ali added.

Sources told this scribe that additional doctors from various districts of Punjab will be called in as the numbers of patients increases.

The recovery rate has been witnessed high in the hospitals. A red alert has been issued in all the allied hospitals, meanwhile arrangements for another 100 beds are in place.

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The deputy commissioner has directed all the 35 cluster in-charges to start the dengue larvae detection search from door-to-door starting at 8am in the morning till 4 pm.

Orders have been issued to complete rainwater drainage on the same day as Met Office has forecast heavy rain for Sunday and Monday. All teams have also been asked to clean tyre shops, junkyards, cemeteries, water tanks and room coolers in houses and offices.

Contracts of 300 daily wage workers who are part of anti-dengue campaign in the district have been extended for three months. All these daily wage workers will continue to perform their duties till December 31, 2021. Their term has been extended for the second time. A notification is expected in the next two days as Rawalpindi deputy Commissioner has already approved the extension.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2021.