ISLAMAABD: As many as 92 new cases of dengue fever emerged in the capital on Thursday whereas 56 patients were brought to government-run hospitals of Rawalpindi district.

District Health Officer Dr Zaeem Zia said that the number of cases in urban areas compared to the number of cases in rural areas on a single day was increasing and this trend was seen during the last two days. During the last 24 hours, 38 cases were reported from rural areas and 54 from urban areas, he added.

Out of the total, 22 patients have been admitted in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), nine in Holy Family Hospital, six in Capital Hospital, five in Polyclinic, and two in District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, while the remaining 48 at different private hospitals, Dr Zia said, adding that 10 cases were reported from Tarlai, followed by seven each from Tarnol and Bhara Kahu, six from Sohan, four from Alipur, two from Kirpa and one from Shah Allah Ditta.

The number of fever cases during the current season in the capital reached 2429, he said, adding 1479 patients were reported from rural areas and 950 from urban areas.

During the last 24 hours, 313 potential dengue larvae breeding sites were sprayed in the capital whereas teams of the District Health Office found 994 potential breeding sites.

The teams also visited 2,250 houses, Dr Zia said, adding that 965 open containers were found out of which four were found with dengue larvae. As many as 204 containers were destroyed.

According to data of the District Health Authority, Rawalpindi, 159 patients are under treatment in three hospitals including 98 in Holy Family Hospital (HFH), 12 in Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) and 49 in DHQ Hospital.

As many as 1,791 people have been discharged after recovering from the disease so far.

On the other hand, dengue larvae were found in 121 areas of the district including one from Kallar Syedan, six from Taxila, three from Taxila, 10 from Gujar Khan, 58 from Rawal Town, 20 from Rawalpindi Cantonment Board and 23 from Chaklala Cantonment Board.

Taxila

Dengue surveillance teams have been directed to thoroughly inspect tyre shops, junkyards and under-construction buildings in order to eliminate dengue larvae as the number of dengue patients soared to 78 in the district on Thursday.

During inspection of hotspots in various parts of Attock city and Hassanabdal, Deputy Commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh called for a vigorous and effective campaign against dengue, directing that all departments concerned should play their due role to control spread of the disease.

He further directed health department officials to ensure implementation of the plan devised for curbing dengue besides paying full attention to indoor and outdoor surveillance. Dr Sheikh directed administrative officers to continue effective monitoring of anti-dengue measures and gear up pace of the anti-dengue spray process. “Dengue larva should be eradicated through effective surveillance of public and private buildings, tyre shops and graveyards,” he said.

During his door to door visit in New Town, Dar-ul-Islam Colony, Peoples Colony and adjourning areas, he stressed upon citizens not to let stagnant water remain on roofs or any other place in their houses and follow preventive measures. He checked attendance and performance of the anti-dengue squad in the field besides requesting the public to extend full cooperation to health department teams if they came to houses or business centres. He said it was necessary for the public to cooperate with the administration and field staff, adding that citizens should keep their houses clean and dry. He said that he would not tolerate any negligence in this regard.

During his visit to dengue wards of District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital and Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, he directed officials to provide all necessary facilities to patients and their attendants in dengue wards and on the counters setup in hospitals. Doctors and paramedical staff should provide better medical facilities to patients, he added.

Punjab Minister for Social Welfare Syed Yawar Boukhari paid a visit to hotspot areas where dengue patients were reported in large numbers during the past few weeks. He directed officers of the health department and to perform their services properly for the prevention of dengue.

“Every anti-dengue step will be audited along with daily evaluation of performance,” he said, adding October is very important regarding control of dengue as most people are usually diagnosed with the disease during this time and the local administration should focus on activities that ensure elimination of dengue larvae.

He said that hotspots should be covered properly and indoor and outdoor surveillance teams should work actively in the field. — Additional reporting by Amjad Iqbal

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2021