RAWALPINDI: After receiving dengue patients from 20 union councils, the district administration declared an emergency and decided to immediately begin fumigation and sweeping in these areas to prevent the spread of dengue larvae to other parts of the garrison city from Tuesday (today).

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema told Dawn that more than 20 union councils in the garrison city have been identified as hotspots for dengue larvae. “We have decided to start fumigation and sweeping in these areas within the next 15 days,” he stated.

“More than 600 sanitary patrol teams will be deployed in these areas, and every nook and corner will be cleared of dengue larvae,” he added.

The affected areas include: Chak Jilal Din, Dhoke Munshee, Kotha Kallan, Girja, Dhamyal, Lakkhan, Kulyal, Rehmatabad, Gangal, Chaklala, Takhat Pari, CTR-17, CTR-14, CTR-1, CTR-12, Shakrial North, Khana Dak, Dhama Syedan, CTR-10, and Morga.

He said that to oversee dengue surveillance in these areas, the district administration formed dedicated teams. These teams will submit daily reports on coverage, and attendance of the surveillance teams will be closely monitored.

He mentioned that mobile health vans will be stationed in these areas to conduct dengue tests on residents of neighbouring houses where cases have been reported.

He further noted that, according to the standard operating procedures issued by the Punjab government, fumigation will be carried out in hotspot zones and efforts will be made to prevent further virus spread during rainfall.

He added that assistance from parliamentarians is also being sought to supervise the efforts. “Local MNA and MPs will oversee the work and report any discrepancies in the plan,” he added.

Meanwhile, a meeting between the Rawalpindi district administration and local lawmakers was held at the deputy commissioner’s office to discuss strategies for tackling the dengue season and preventing further spread of the virus.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema and attended by MNA Tahira Aurangzeb, Danyal Chaudhry, and others.

The deputy commissioner urged federal government organisations, including cantonment boards and Pakistan Railways, to launch anti-dengue campaigns within their jurisdictions to curb the spread of the virus.

“The Punjab government has begun efforts to clear its administrative areas of dengue larvae, but these efforts will be futile if federal organisations do not cooperate,” he said.

He announced that seminars and awareness walks would be organised throughout the division to inform the public about preventive measures against dengue. He also suggested that educational institutions begin a zero period to educate students about dengue and its prevention. He directed government departments to ensure their offices are kept clean.

He further instructed the health department, Town Municipal administrations, and Municipal Services Department to intensify their sanitation efforts during this monsoon season to prevent dengue spread.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2025