ISLAMABAD: As many as 137 more residents of the twin cities were infected with dengue virus during the last 24 hours.

The total number of cases reported during the current season in the capital have surged to 2,508. So far, six persons have succumbed to the disease in the city.

The data, available with Dawn, shows that 43 of the new cases were reported from rural areas and 30 cases were reported from urban areas of the city.

During last 24 hours, 47 cases were reported from private laboratories and 13 cases were reported from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for dengue but early detection and proper medical care can lower mortality. Otherwise, the disease may turn into a life-threatening haemorrhagic fever, which in turn may lead to bleeding and dangerously low blood pressure.

Rapid and unplanned urbanisation, lack of sanitation and climate change are all contributing to a surge in dengue infections.

Rawalpindi

As many as 64 patients emerged in three government-run hospitals of Rawalpindi city. The total number of dengue patients during the current reached 2,550 in the current season.

A total of 270 confirmed dengue patients are admitted in hospitals including 72 in Holy Family Hospital (HFH), 120 patients in Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) and 78 in District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital.

As many as 188 patients belong to Rawalpindi district, 50 are from Islamabad, two are from Haripur and one each from Abbottabad, Bagh, Chakwal, Rajanpur and Mianwali respectively.

According to the data of District Health Authority, most patients arrived from Potohar Town, Satellite Town, Dhoke Kala Khan, Qayyumabad, Dhoke Ali Akbar, Hazara Colony, Dhoke Hassu, Khana Dak, Chaklala, Chakri, Chauntra, Dhoke Mangtal, Chaman Zar, Bangish Colony and adjoining areas.

District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Anser Ishaq told Dawn that the number of dengue patients has reduced in the current week and it was a sign that the anti-dengue campaign was successful.

He said that health authority teams were deployed in 33 union councils where most dengue patients emerged. He said that most patients were reported from the border areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

He said that after yesterday’s rain in the garrison city, officials had been directed to start fogging in low lying areas. He said that people had been requested to keep their rooftops clean.

2,388 FIRs registered for violating anti-dengue SOPs

FIRs registered over violation of SOPs

The Rawalpindi administration registered around 2,388 first information reports (FIRs) against people for violation of anti-dengue standard operating procedures (SOPs) from Jan 1 to date in various areas of the district, said District Coordinator Epidemics Prevention and Control (DCEPC) Dr Sajjad Mehmood on Sunday.

According to APP, the health officer said the district administration, in collaboration with allied departments had sealed 572 premises, issued challans to 7,228 people, notices to 9,742 and a fine of Rs5,883,416 was imposed over violation of SOPs.

Dr Sajjad said total number of cases in the district was 3,143 in 2019, 11 in 2020, and 201 in 2021 during this period. Presently, 265 patients with symptoms were admitted to the city’s allied hospitals including 113 to the Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), 82 to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital and 70 to the Holy Family Hospital (HFH).

He said that the district administration was making all-out efforts to control the epidemic as per the SOPs issued by the government while spraying and fogging was being carried out in residences as well. Dr Sajjad said that dengue fever was not a life-threatening disease, but it can cause severe life-threatening complications if not treated properly.

“If you have a fever of 3-10 days duration with associated symptoms like headache, muscle and joint pains, retro-orbital pain (pain behind the eyeballs) and skin rash, then you need to get yourself checked,” he added. The health officer urged the residents to clean their water tanks and not leave any place wet with stagnant water.

He advised residents to adopt preventive measures and inform the department immediately by calling 0800-99000 if dengue larvae were found in their houses.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2022