Cold weather brings dengue season to an end

Hospitals discharge all dengue cases as campaign formally concludes

RAWALPINDI:

The cold weather has decisively brought an end to the dengue season, with the mosquito losing its strength as temperatures drop sharply after sunset. Dengue larvae have died in cold water. On Friday, not a single dengue patient was reported, while all existing dengue patients admitted to government hospitals were discharged, giving relief to the health department.

The formal closure of the dengue campaign has also been completed.

Meetings of the deputy commissioner, assistant commissioners and departments regarding dengue control have officially ended.

Dengue teams have now been shifted to the measles campaign.

Orders have been issued to dismiss 3,000 daily-wage dengue workers from the first week of December; no contract will be extended after November 30.

Anyone whose contract ends will be relieved with payment for daily wages.

Instructions have also been issued to begin preparing the new micro plan for the 2026 dengue campaign.

The deputy commissioner has ordered that areas reporting the highest number of dengue cases over the past five years, including this year, be declared hotspots.

Routine dengue activities will continue through December, January and February, while the full-scale district-wide dengue campaign will resume in March, immediately after Eidul Fitr.

Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema stated that dengue remained under control this year and, fortunately, no lives were lost — a major success. He added that even fewer dengue patients are expected next year.