Dengue virus claims one more life

The twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi continue to see a constant rise in the number of dengue virus cases as another patient died of the victor-born disease in the federal capital on Friday, taking the total deaths to seven so far this season.

Over 200 new dengue virus cases surfaced in the twin cities during the last 24 hours, taking the total number of dengue patients in Rawalpindi and Islamabad to 5768.

According to the data issued by health authorities, the number of dengue patients has reached 2,863 in Islamabad and 2,905 in Rawalpindi.

In the federal capital, 104 new suspected dengue virus cases were reported during the last 24 hours, taking the total number of dengue-infected patients to 2,863.

The Islamabad District Health Officer’s office said that of the 104 new dengue-suspected patients, 29 were admitted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital, four to the CDA Hospital, 11 to the Federal General Hospital (Polyclinic) while 58 patients were admitted to private hospitals.

The DHO office said that 478 dengue patients were under treatment at the PIMS Hospital, 111 at Polyclinic and 57 at the CDA Hospital.

The data further said that of the 2,863 dengue patients in Islamabad, 1,178 cases have been reported in the city and 1,658 in rural areas of the federal capital.

Meanwhile, 96 more dengue virus-infected patients landed in hospitals in Rawalpindi during the last 24 hours.

According to health authorities, the number of dengue cases in Rawalpindi was 600 times higher this year as compared to last year. According to the, only 351 cases were reported in 2021.

They said that currently, 277 dengue patients were under treatment in the three allied hospitals of Rawalpindi.

The health officials said that 46 dengue patients from the federal capital were also brought to Rawalpindi hospitals during the last 24 hours.

According to the health officials, Potohar Town has seen 1,392 dengue cases, which is the highest in the entire Rawalpindi district, followed by 366 dengue cases in Rawalpindi Cantonment, 248 in municipal corporation areas, 157 in Chaklala Cantonment and 84 in Rawalpindi’s rural areas.

According to the data, 118 dengue virus-infected patients were under treatment at the Benazir Bhutto Hospital, 86 at the District Headquarters Hospital and 73 at the Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi.

The ongoing anti-dengue operations and fumigation has failed to yield results. A spokesperson for the Rawalpindi district administration said that all available resources were being utilised to contain the spread of the dengue disease.

He said that 2,539 cases have been registered against citizens for violations and 594 buildings have been sealed after the detection of dengue larvae, while a fine of Rs7 million has also been imposed for various violations.

He said that all facilities were being provided to dengue patients in hospitals and there was abundant stock of medicine.

Earlier, a team of experts prepared a 72-page report on the deteriorating dengue situation in Rawalpindi stating that the dengue mosquito was rampant in the city, Cantonment and rural areas.

The report said that despite measures and intensive fogging, dengue mosquitoes could not be eradicated. It said that the current temperature and humidity in Rawalpindi was providing favourable conditions for dengue mosquitos to breed.