After rain: Nine more dengue cases surface in Pindi

This year’s toll reaches 943 against 849 of last year

ISLAMABAD: Despite a drop in temperature after yesterday’s rain, nine more dengue cases surfaced in Rawalpindi on Friday, taking this year’s toll to 943 so far.

However, health officials claimed that with the drop in temperature, a decline had been witnessed in the number of dengue cases. They hoped that the dengue cases will decrease by the end of this month, as according to them, mosquitoes do not survive in cold weather.

“Earlier, on an average 50 cases were reported in a single day, but the number has now dropped to nine cases a day,” District Health Department Surveillance Officer Dr Eshan Ghani said.

Meanwhile, Islamabad’s dengue control surveillance cell in-charge Dr Najeeb Durrani said that an increase has been witnessed in recent days in the number of dengue patients coming to capital hospitals from other cities.

Of the total 91 dengue patients treated in capital hospitals, 22 were tested positive, he said, hoping a decline in the number of cases if temperature drops.

Meanwhile, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, weather was expected to remain warm in coming days.

Meteorologist Muhammad Imran told The Express Tribune that though the temperature has dropped from 28 degrees Celsius to 23 Celsius due to recent showers, it will again rise to around 29 Celsius in coming days.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2014.