Rawalpindi reports six dengue cases

Larvae found at 87,408 locations; authorities step up anti-dengue campaign

RAWALPINDI:

Six dengue cases have been confirmed in Rawalpindi district, with all patients belonging to Dhok Hassu, Janubi Kotha Kalan and Kontrila.

During the anti-dengue campaign, larvae were found at more than 87,000 locations in houses and open spaces, all of which were destroyed.

According to the Health Department, dengue larvae were found in Chaklala, Pirwadhai, Dhok Ratta, Waris Khan, Khanna Dak, Gangal, Chak Jalal Din and Dhok Mangtal. A total of 17,859 dengue hotspots have been registered and are being continuously monitored. So far, 2,841 people have been screened for dengue, of whom 2,656 were declared suspected patients.

To review the anti-dengue campaign, 27 meetings of the District Emergency Response Committee and 89 meetings of the Tehsil Emergency Response Committee have been held. Dengue teams have so far visited 3,917,473 houses, of which 74,392 were found to have larvae.

The dengue teams also inspected 1,338,647 open spots, where 13,016 locations tested positive for dengue. Overall, larvae found at 87,408 locations were destroyed.

Action was also taken over violations of dengue SOPs, with 1,670 FIRs registered, 440 buildings sealed and 1,565 challans issued. Fines amounting to Rs1.974 million were imposed on violators.

District Health Officer Preventive Dr Hafiz Jawad Zahid said the number of field staff had been increased as part of the anti-dengue campaign. He said the more larvae were located and destroyed, the more the dengue threat could be reduced.

Citizens were urged not to allow dengue breeding in their homes under any circumstances.

In outdoor areas, focus is also being placed on under-construction buildings, junkyards and places where water accumulates to prevent dengue breeding there.