No respite from dengue despite change in weather

107 more fall prey to vector-borne disease in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

Despite the changing weather, the attacks of the deadly dengue virus continue in Rawalpindi. As many as 107 people fell prey to the vector-borne disease in the last 24 hours raising the tally of the total dengue victims to 3,361.

With this, the number of patients under treatment in three hospitals in the garrison city has increased to 220 while 47 dengue patients from areas of Islamabad are undergoing treatment in Rawalpindi hospitals. 115 patients are admitted to Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, 30 to Holy Family Hospital and 75 to the District Headquarters Hospital. So far two citizens have lost their lives to the deadly virus.

Chief Executive District Health Authority Dr Ishaq says that due to the change in weather and the ongoing vigorous anti-dengue campaign the ratio of dengue patients is changing quickly. However, the intensity of the dengue virus outbreak is likely to decrease significantly in the next ten days. “As the weather cools down, the ability of the dengue mosquito decreases but the mosquitoes that take shelter inside the houses attack at night so the citizens have to be careful,” he said.

Man held for threatening team

Meanwhile, police have arrested a man for showing resistance and hurling threats at the anti-dengue team working in the jurisdiction of Saddar Baroni police station, said a spokesperson.

The police arrested the accused identified as Khair Muhammad for putting up resistance to the anti-dengue team. The spokesperson said that the police had registered a case against the accused.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2022.