ISLAMABAD: After infecting over 5,000 residents of the federal capital, dengue mosquito seems to have lost steam as only four cases have been reported in the city during the last 24 hours.

According to a document of District Health Office, available with Dawn, during the last 24 hours only four cases were reported and all of them were reported from the rural areas of the city.

During the current season 5,378 cases of dengue were reported from Islamabad. Moreover, 11 persons succumbed to the disease.

Out of total cases in the city during current season, as many as 3,132 cases were reported from the rural area and 2,246 cases from the urban area of Islamabad.

Data further showed that 2,382 cases were reported by the private laboratories and 1,411 cases by Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). Rest of the cases came from 10 other health facilities.

As far as deaths in the current season were concerned, two persons each died in union councils on Sohan, Rawat, Tarlai and one each from UCs of Koral and Kurri. Out of three deaths in the urban areas one each was reported from F-7, I-8 and G-15.

Mosquito cannot survive during low temperature and it is believed that at around 10 °C mosquitoes become torpid and unable to move.

Talking to Dawn, health expert Dr Waseem Khawaja said: “Cleanliness is the prerequisite for avoiding dengue so people should keep their houses clean.”

He advised citizens not to leave fresh water uncovered in the house as it was perfect breeding ground for the dengue mosquito.

“However, when the temperature drops, the mosquito will not survive and the dengue issue will come to an end. Dengue season may take another week to end,” he said.

“Moreover if people have fever and they feel pain in abdomen they should only take paracetamol rather than other medication,” Dr Khawaja suggested.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2022