Early dengue cases trigger health alert

RAWALPINDI:

Six dengue cases have been reported in Rawalpindi even before the onset of the dengue season, triggering concern among the Health Department and district administration.

The patients have been admitted to the hospital, while 13 union councils (UCs) have been declared high-risk areas for dengue.

The dengue season is expected to begin soon after the monsoon ends, with the peak period anticipated from September 1 to October 31. Following the emergence of dengue cases, orders have also been issued to establish dedicated dengue wards in hospitals.

Special surveillance is continuing in high-risk areas. From August 1 to 15, as many as 541 teams will conduct intensive dengue surveillance and larval eradication activities across the high-risk union councils.

Against the backdrop of the emerging cases, a meeting of the District Emergency and Response Committee was held on Friday under the chairmanship of Dr Waseem, Coordinator to the Punjab Chief Minister on Dengue Control, and Additional Deputy Commissioner Headquarters Abdul Rehman Khan.

The meeting conducted a detailed review of dengue prevention and control measures across Rawalpindi district and directed all relevant departments to intensify their field activities.