RAWALPINDI: As many as 24 more dengue patients arrived in three government hospitals on Monday, taking the tally to 415.

At present, 50 confirmed dengue patients are getting treatment in the hospitals and nine of them are in critical condition.

Total 19 confirmed dengue patients are in Holy Family Hospital (HFH), 11 in Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), 17 in District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, three in Al-Khidmat Razi Hospital and three in different private hospitals. Most of the dengue patients arrived from Shakrial, Babu Lal Hussain Road, Dhoke Kashmirian, Tench Bhatta, Dhamial, Dhoke Chaudhrian, Dhoke Ameer Ali, Sher Zaman Colony, Naseerabad and Chakra Road.

Officials said that health department teams were continuing indoor and outdoor operations on a daily basis. On Monday, more than 8491 houses were checked and dengue larvae were found in 457 houses. Similarly, more than 3597 outdoor spots were checked and larvae were found in 83 spots.

On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hasan Waqar Cheema visited the dengue-affected Sector Four Airport Housing Society and inspected the dengue patients’ houses.

He said that according to the SOPs, IRS spraying and fogging should be ensured on time. The health department and society members should start an awareness campaign about preventive measures regarding dengue.

He said that dengue epidemic can be controlled only with public cooperation. Citizens should cooperate with the health department teams to control dengue.

According to data released by the Health Department, 2543 FIRs were registered this year against those found violating anti-dengue SOPs while 502 places were sealed and Rs4.3 million fines imposed.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2023