Dengue outbreak spurs urgent action
Rawalpindi is facing an alarming spike in dengue cases with the onset of mosquito-borne disease outbreak. Since January 1 of this year, over 131 dengue patients have been reported while the virus also claimed the life of a four-year-old girl, Aiza. She had been admitted to the Fauji Foundation Hospital after contracting dengue in Kallar Syedan and succumbed to her illness last week. This surge in cases has sparked a city-wide response from health authorities, who are ramping up efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
Special Secretary Health Muhammad Iqbal visited Rawalpindi ordered immediate spraying of insecticides in areas reporting dengue cases, the destruction of mosquito larvae. Iqbal also ordered an increase in the number of beds dedicated to dengue patients in all local hospitals to ensure proper medical care.
As part of the crackdown on dengue, legal actions have been taken against individuals and businesses violating dengue prevention protocols. Special Secretary to the Deputy Commissioner, Hasan Waqar Cheema, stated during a briefing that a total of 2,392 FIRs have been registered, and 1,911 challans issued against violators while 647 commercial buildings have been sealed. Fines amounting to over Rs10 million have also been imposed on the violators.
During the anti-dengue meeting, attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Headquarters Zunairah Aftab, Assistant Commissioners, and other health officials, the current situation in Rawalpindi was thoroughly reviewed. The Special Secretary informed that a large-scale work is being done in Rawalpindi regarding dengue. A particular focus is being placed on spraying and fogging operations in dengue-affected areas while also ensuring that probable cases are admitted to hospitals for mon itoring until test results rule out the virus.
Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema shared detailed statistics on the dengue situation in Rawalpindi. Of the 131 cases reported this year, 97 patients have fully recovered and returned home.