Pindi reports surge in measles cases

First two months of 2026 witness 110 confirmed cases

RAWALPINDI:

During the first two months of the current year, the number of confirmed measles cases among children in Rawalpindi district reached 110, while 192 suspected cases were also reported.

In view of the concerning situation, the Rawalpindi District Health Authority has intensified the measles vaccination campaign to protect children.

According to officials, despite an ongoing campaign aimed at protecting children from measles through immunisation - with the first vaccine administered at nine months of age and the second at 15 months - 192 suspected cases and 110 confirmed measles cases were reported in the first two months of 2026.

All affected children were provided with timely medical treatment, ensuring their lives were safeguarded, and no fatality occurred.

Health experts say that a child infected with measles may die if complications such as pneumonia or dehydration develop. Therefore, parents have been advised to ensure their children receive the first vaccination at nine months and the second at 15 months to protect them from the disease.

District Health Officer Preventive Dr Hafiz Jawad Ahmed said that following the emergence of 110 confirmed and 192 suspected measles cases during the first two months of the year, the routine anti-measles campaign has been further organised and accelerated.

"Our teams are conducting door-to-door visits not only to vaccinate children against measles but also to respond quickly whenever a measles case is reported," he said.

Dr Jawad Ahmed added that the 110 children infected with measles during the first two months of the year are now recovering after receiving treatment. Parents have also been instructed to ensure vaccination and immediately visit the nearest healthcare centre if a child shows symptoms of measles.

Dengue micro-plan unveiled

On the other hand, the Rawalpindi District Health Authority has initiated anti-dengue operations under a micro-planning strategy in 20 union councils declared high-risk last year, even before the formal start of the dengue season.

So far, dengue larvae have been detected and eliminated at 1,606 locations.

According to sources, the high-risk union councils include Chak Jalal Din, Dhoke Munshi, Girja, Dhamial, Lakhan, Kalyal, Rehmatabad, Gangal, Chaklala, Takht Pari, Shakrial, Khanna Dak, Dhama Syedan, Morgah and others. These areas reported 1,586 dengue-positive cases last year. In 2024, the same union councils recorded 6,606 cases, while 2,654 cases were reported in 2023 and 4,793 in 2022.

The breeding cycle - from eggs to larvae and then adult dengue mosquitoes - and their spread in the air has been more prevalent in these union councils compared to other city and cantonment areas. Last year, 1,476 larva-positive sites were recorded in these 20 union councils. This year, since implementation of the dengue micro-plan began on February 1, larvae have already been found and destroyed at 1,606 locations.

District Health Officer (Preventive) Dr Hafiz Jawad said indoor and outdoor dengue surveillance had commenced in high-risk union councils under a 14-day continuous door-to-door campaign.

The drive includes public awareness alongside identification and elimination of larvae.

He said that during March, April and May, the micro-plan would be revised to conduct week-long surveillance campaigns in each union council.

The District Health Authority is receiving support from 26 other departments in this campaign. Outdoor hotspots are being marked and cleared of larvae, including water filtration plants, junkyards, tyre shops, solid waste points, rooftops, under-construction buildings and old incomplete structures declared as hotspots.

Dr Jawad added that rising temperatures increase the risk of dengue mosquitoes. However, he emphasised that public awareness and citizens' responsibility in preventing larval breeding remain the most effective measures against dengue.