RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonment boards have still not started their work to eliminate dengue larvae from graveyards in the cantonment areas.

As per the standard operating procedures (SoPs) issued by the Punjab government, it was the duty of the civic bodies to remove bushes from graveyards in their limits. But, the cantonment boards have failed to take any action in this regard.

On the other hand, the health authority also failed to take the responsibility of carrying out anti-dengue sprays in graveyards, saying that it was the responsibility of the civic body as per SoPs issued by the provincial government.

As a result, stagnant water and overgrown bushes can beseen in and around the graveyards.

Last month, health department teams founddenguemosquitoes and eliminated them by spraying anti-denguemedicines in the surrounding areas.

The health department official, wishing not to be named, told Dawn that there was a dire need to launch a campaign in and around the graveyardsas it was an ideal place for breeding ofdenguemosquitoes.

He said people placed water pots near graves for the birds and thedenguemosquitoes were found near these pots, adding that bushes in graveyardswere also an ideal place for breeding.

Meanwhile, 14 patientstested positive for dengue virus andlandedin government-run hospitals from different parts of the district on Friday.

A total of 76 people have been affected by the virus in the current season while no death has so far been reported. As many as 53 people went back home after receiving treatment.

At present, there are 23 denguepatients getting treatment in Rawalpindi hospitals while seven suspected patientsare awaiting their dengueserology report.

A total of 16 patients are admitted to Holy Family Hospital, six are under treatment in Benazir Bhutto Hospital and eight in District Headquarters Hospital.

After heavy rains in the last two days, the number of denguepatients had increased in the garrison city, forcing the provincial government to direct the district administration to speed up the campaign.

Most patients came from nine union councils of the district including Dhoke Ratta, Dhoke Hukamdad, Khanna Dak, Gangal, Chaklala, Dhoke Munshi, Dhamyal, Lakhan, Gulistan Colony and cantonment areas.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2024