DEN-2 dengue virus identified in Pindi

The DEN-2 dengue virus has been identified in Rawalpindi this year, with most cases involving citizens previously affected by dengue. Efforts to contain the outbreak are focused on high-risk union councils, said Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema.

He was addressing an anti-dengue meeting which was attended by Additional Secretary Technical Dr Younis, Director General Health Punjab Ilyas Gondal, and other officials on Monday.

Additional Secretary Technical Dr Yunus said that t the number of dengue patients did not decrease significantly in October. The environment is proving to be favourable for dengue growth. Controlling dengue is impossible until people are fully aware of how to prevent dengue, he added.

The health department reported 95 new confirmed cases within 24 hours, bringing the total to 4,286 for the year, with 3,895 patients successfully discharged and 370 under treatment. Hospitals currently have 600 beds allocated for dengue patients, with a ramp-up capacity of 1,000 if necessary.

Since January, over 9.5 million houses and nearly 2.8 million outdoor locations have been checked for dengue-carrying vectors, with 9,499 indoor and 1,304 outdoor sites testing positive. Rawalpindi authorities have issued 5,047 FIRs, 3,212 challans, and sealed 1,790 buildings, collecting fines exceeding Rs21 million.

Gondal directed the officials concerned to conduct thorough IRS spraying and fogging across high-risk union councils. He also called for a dedicated campaign to raise public awareness about dengue prevention.