K-P records 130 dengue cases this year

Numbers lower in 2024, but spike occured after rains

PESHAWAR:

Around 130 cases of dengue have been reported in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa this year. Provincial Health Secretary Adeel Shah has announced that due to the effective dengue control measures implemented by the health department and the cooperation of the general public, a limited number of dengue cases have been reported in the province.

Only 11 cases remain active, while 119 patients have fully recovered.

He noted that the sudden increase in dengue cases in certain districts is due to the recent rains, which were influenced by climatic changes.

He urged the public to strictly follow preventive measures. "We must actively work to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes until the end of the dengue season," he said.

The health department has been ordered to adopt an active and systematic approach at all levels to prevent the spread of dengue.

"All available resources are being utilised in collaboration with line departments to control the outbreak. All relevant officials have issued clear instructions that no negligence will be tolerated.

District health officers (DHOs) have been directed to intensify efforts in surveillance, larval elimination, and dengue control measures.

"We are making every effort to control dengue with the community's involvement," Shah added.

Additionally, after being told by the health secretary, directives have been issued by Public Health Director Dr Irshad Ali to the DHOs of five districts including Peshawar, Abbottabad, Bannu, Swabi, and Nowshera where a rise in dengue cases has been observed.