Pindi reports 87 new dengue cases

Despite ongoing anti-dengue drives, officials struggle to control situation

RAWALPINDI:

The dengue mosquito outbreak in Rawalpindi remains uncontained, with ongoing anti-dengue campaigns failing to effectively manage the larval stage of the mosquito. Health officials attribute the persistence of the outbreak to a drop in temperatures.

In the past 24 hours, there has been a notable increase in dengue cases, with 87 individuals testing positive. The total number of patients currently receiving treatment in local hospitals has risen to 252. The Potohar Town area continues to be a hotspot for dengue, despite efforts by the district administration.

To combat the larvae in water ponds, authorities have implemented a fish-stocking method, which has been used successfully in previous years. So far this season, Rawalpindi has reported a total of 2,823 confirmed dengue cases.

Within the last 24 hours, 42 new dengue patients were reported from Potohar Town, along with 12 from the municipal corporation limits. Additional cases included 17 from Rawalpindi Cantonment, three from Chaklala Cantt, five from Gujarkhan, one from Kotli Sattian, three from Potohar Rural, and two each from Taxila and Kahuta.

Tragically, ten patients have succumbed to the dengue virus so far this year. The Health Department has registered 4,266 FIRs against individuals violating SOPs, sealed 1,662 buildings, and issued 2,868 challan tickets.

In an ongoing effort to control the outbreak, the District Health Authority has partnered with the Fisheries Department to release fish into underground tanks and open ponds. These fish help reduce the dengue larvae population by feeding on them.