The number of confirmed dengue patients in Rawalpindi district has risen to 52 this year, compared to 38 cases reported during the same period last August, prompting an urgent response from the District Health Authority (DHA).
Field staff, sanitary patrol teams, and entomologists have been warned to ensure their presence during duty hours, with strict disciplinary action promised for late arrivals or absences.
According to official data, dengue cases are once again on the rise in the district. Of the 52 confirmed cases this year, eight patients have been admitted to various hospitals, while five remain under treatment.
No deaths from the virus have been reported so far in 2025. The report states that Rawalpindi has recorded 28 cases, while Murree has reported 22.
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As part of the anti-dengue campaign launched on January 1, over 4.3 million households were inspected, with larvae detected in more than 1.139 million homes. Out of 56,781 sites checked, larvae were found at 24 locations, and 67,964 larvae were destroyed.
The DHA has taken strict action against violations of dengue SOPs, lodging 2,203 FIRs, sealing 1,230 premises, issuing 3,520 challans, and collecting over Rs4.1 million in fines.
Fresh cases have been reported in Murree’s Phaguri, Potha Sharif, and Ghhel areas, as well as in Eidgah, Satellite Town, Banni, and Gung Mandi in Rawalpindi city, along with Kahuta, Gujar Khan, Taxila, and Kallar Syedan.
The health department has urged citizens to prevent water from collecting in and around their homes and to follow dengue prevention guidelines.
Chief Executive District Health Authority Dr Ehsan Ghani has directed anti-dengue teams to carry out surveillance, search for and destroy larvae, conduct spray operations against dengue mosquitoes, and undertake focused interventions in areas where patients have been reported.
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Experts have warned that dengue larvae have now matured into adult mosquitoes, increasing the risk of transmission. They have advised citizens to adopt preventive measures, especially during the morning and evening hours when the dengue mosquito is most active.
Despite an ongoing dengue prevention campaign, the spread of dengue mosquitoes persists, with Murree emerging as a major hotspot.
According to reports, even after the authorities deployed additional sanitary patrol workers to bolster the anti-dengue drive, the authorities have been unable to contain the larvae this season, leading to a sharp rise in cases. So far, 24 confirmed dengue cases have been reported in Murree.
The District Health Department has urged the public to ensure no water is allowed to collect in or around their homes and to take all necessary precautions against mosquito bites.
With the mosquito population now progressing from the larval stage to fully developed adults, hospitals and health workers are advising people to wear full-sleeved clothing, avoid exposure during early morning and evening hours, apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin, and use mosquito nets at night.
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