ISLAMABAD: Amid a consistent increase in dengue cases following recent monsoon rains, the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi reported 22 new cases on Saturday — eight in Islamabad and 14 in Rawalpindi. Health authorities have warned that the number of cases may continue to rise if anti-dengue guidelines are not followed and surveillance efforts remain inadequate.
The total number of dengue cases in Islamabad has now reached 93. In response, the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) has doubled its surveillance teams and urged the public to assist in the eradication of dengue mosquitoes.
Health Secretary Nadeem Mehbub emphasized the importance of public cooperation, stating, “We are doing everything possible to prevent the increase in cases, but our efforts cannot succeed without public support. Most dengue breeding grounds are found in homes, under-construction buildings, shops, and other areas that our teams may not reach. We ask the public to ensure there is no stagnant water anywhere in their homes.”
To strengthen surveillance efforts, Mr. Mehbub announced the hiring of 500 additional workers who will focus on eradicating dengue larvae and hotspots throughout the dengue season. Additionally, over 200 lady health workers have been conducting door-to-door visits to educate the public on identifying and eliminating hotspots.
He noted that the majority of cases in Islamabad this season have come from rural areas (68 cases), while 25 cases were reported from urban areas. The ministry is monitoring the situation daily, with eight new cases reported on Saturday.
Historically, the dengue season in Islamabad begins in March and ends in November. Pakistan has faced multiple dengue outbreaks since 1994, with significant incidents occurring in 2005, 2011, and 2019. Major outbreaks include 6,000 cases and 52 deaths in Karachi in 2005; over 21,000 cases and 350 deaths in Lahore in 2011; and around 50,000 cases with 79 deaths nationwide in 2019.
Rawalpindi’s Response to Dengue Surge
In Rawalpindi, 14 new dengue patients were admitted to three government hospitals on Saturday. The District Health Authority has taken disciplinary action against 250 sanitary patrol workers who were found absent from their duties without prior notice, deducting their salaries.
District Health Authority CEO Dr. Asif Arbab Niazi stated that during a third-party validation campaign in various union councils, a significant number of sanitary patrols were found consistently absent. He emphasized the critical need for anti-dengue teams to complete spray operations and detect dengue larvae in their designated areas. Dr. Niazi highlighted the urgency of the situation, warning that if current trends continue, cases could rise significantly by mid-September.
The number of dengue patients in Rawalpindi has increased sharply in the current week, with daily reported cases rising from five or six to 10 to 12. Recent patients have been admitted to Holy Family Hospital (5), District Headquarters Hospital (10), and Benazir Bhutto Hospital (13), coming from various areas including Girja, Kahuta, Dhoke Chaudhrian, Chaklala Scheme-III, Banni Chowk, Gulraiz Colony, Gulistan Colony, Band Khana Road, Tench Bhatta, Dhoke Munshi, and surrounding areas.
The District Health Authority has issued a warning, urging residents to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures, and adopt a serious approach to dengue control efforts.
