Early dengue surge triggers alarm

Dengue fever has surfaced prematurely this year, with large quantities of dengue larvae beginning to emerge across every union council and all designated hotspot areas, triggering alarm within the Health Department.

Despite the off-season period, dengue larvae were detected at a total of 2,492 locations between January 1 and May 14 this year. Consequently, criminal cases were registered against 314 responsible individuals, 66 properties were sealed, challans were issued to 403 property owners, and 1,236 notices were served over poor arrangements and inadequate performance.

A third-party survey also identified dengue larvae at 32 separate locations. During the same period, cumulative fines amounting to Rs1,004,500 were imposed on those held responsible.

Under the prescribed SOPs and commitments, workers across Rawalpindi district have once again been denied official mobile phones and internet data packages for inspection, monitoring and field operations this year.