Dengue season ends as winter sets in

Dengue season officially ended in the Rawalpindi division on Friday after the number of dengue patients reduced to a record low as the temperature drops at night in winter.

Only five dengue patients were reported in the last 24 hours. Special dengue wards were also abolished in all government and private hospitals. The number of patients admitted to hospitals also decreased to only 26.

Health authorities also approved the lay-off of 3,200 daily wage and contract workers, recruited for the anti-dengue campaign, next week.

Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema ordered a new "Anti-Dengue Micro Plan" keeping in view the dengue losses of the last five years including this year and directed the subordinates to submit a new anti-dengue plan by January 31.

A total of 6,578 dengue patients were brought to government hospitals and 8,950 dengue patients were brought to private hospitals from January 1 this year.

This year, 11 dengue-related deaths were reported. Currently, 26 dengue patients are admitted to hospitals. This year, cases were registered against 6,257 people, 1,899 properties were sealed and 3,755 challans were issued on finding dengue larvae. Over Rs23 million fine was also imposed. The next anti-dengue campaign will start in Rawalpindi on February 15.