Dengue claims two more lives

The anti-dengue campaign has so far failed to control the spread of dengue in the twin cities. In the last 24 hours alone, two more dengue patients have lost their lives to the deadly virus.

A woman named Nadia Noreen of Taxila Mohra Shahwali who was under treatment at Holy Family Hospital and 28-year-old Khawar, a police guard at Benazir Bhutto Hospital and resident of Rajar Chontra passed away after being infected by dengue.

The total number of dengue deaths across the district this season has reached 15. Despite the preventive campaign, 141 more people also tested positive for dengue during the same day as the two reported deaths. The total number of dengue patients under treatment in allied hospitals has reached 270 while the number of confirmed dengue patients has risen to 4,427 this season.

In Rawalpindi district, 58 dengue patients were reported from Potohar Town, 20 were reported from within Municipal Corporation limits during one day, 37 from Rawalpindi Cantonment, seven from Chaklala Cantt, 13 from Potohar Rural, two from Kallar Syedan and another two from Taxila.

According to sources in the health department, 14 patients suffering from dengue virus have lost their lives this year. Additionally, as part of the anti-dengue drive, a total of 5,077 FIRs have been registered against citizens for violating SOPs by allowing dengue larvae to breed unchecked in their establishments, 1,795 buildings have been sealed and 3,226 fines have been issued. The total fine imposed so far amounts to greater Rs21 million.

District Health Authority (DHA) Chief Executive Dr Asif Arbab Niazi says that the anti-dengue campaign has been accelerated. "Monitoring has been intensified with increased field staff. Cases are being registered for violation of dengue SOPs," he said, adding that the dengue virus is expected to significantly decline with a drop in temperatures as colder weather renders dengue mosquitoes ineffective.