Dengue cases continue to creep up

At least 16 new patients reported in last 24 hours

RAWALPINDI:

The identification of 16 new dengue cases in the past 24 hours has sparked concerns about the ongoing battle against the outbreak in the Rawalpindi district.

According to health authorities, the total cases now stood at 323, with 46 patients presently under care in different hospitals.

Health records also indicate a localized outbreak, with nine cases in Kotha Kalan, six in Chaklala, six in CTC 4, six in Dhaman Syedan, and five in Chamanzar.

The city administration had identified 10,290 hotspots. However, inspections and sprays were carried out at around half of them. More than 5,200, locations were declared dengue free. However, the remaining 5,084 hotspots were left unattended.

Rawalpindi District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Ijaz Ahmed said his department was conducting inspections and sprays in areas with high incidences of dengue. It was also responsible for the enforcement of standard operating procedures.

Dr Ahmed said the issue of unattended hotspots would be remedied, with 22 departments involved in the anti-dengue campaign put on notice over the oversight. Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has also issued instructions to the departments concerned to enhance efforts and prevent further negligence, he added. In the meanwhile, the District Health Authority registered 48 FIRs and sealed 11 premises on violations of anti-dengue SOPs during the last 24 hours.

District Coordinator Epidemics Prevention and Control (DCEPC), Dr Sajjad Mehmood on Thursday said that the health department in collaboration with concerned departments, issued tickets to seven and imposed a fine of Rs176,000 on violations of dengue SOPs on Thursday.

The health officer said that most of the cases have been reported from Rawalpindi Cantonment and Potohar Town areas where necessary response activities are being carried out.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2023.