RAWALPINDI: Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema on Friday warned the District Health Authority and civic bodies officials to complete the dengue surveillance in sensitive union councils within a week; otherwise, strict action will be taken against negligent officials.

While directing a third-party audit of dengue surveillance in the district during the meeting, the deputy commissioner said the anti-dengue drive would be monitored through the irrigation department and the special branch, and if any negligence was found, departmental action would be taken against the officials.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Tahira Aurangzeb and Danyal Chaudhry, former mayor Sardar Naseem Khan and local MPs, alongside officials from health, RMC, Wasa and cantonment boards.

The deputy commissioner said clear directives had been given by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to protect citizens from the vector-borne disease, emphasising that it should not spread to other union councils.

He further stressed that we collected data from patients in hospitals and declared 20 union councils sensitive; teams had been deployed to these areas to eliminate dengue larvae and prevent further spread.

He mentioned that, despite challenges posed by rain, the anti-dengue efforts must be completed to safeguard people.

He also added that the provincial government had provided all necessary resources, and officials should carry out their duties accordingly.

According to health authorities, three new cases were reported in the district, bringing the total to 54.

The deputy commissioner directed the health authority and cantonment boards to intensify the anti-dengue campaign.

MNA Tahira Aurangzeb instructed the health authority to increase efforts to eradicate dengue larvae in the city and cantonment areas. She said teams should specifically visit areas where the patients had originated.

The meeting was informed that over 1,570 suspected dengue patients had been admitted to government hospitals in Rawalpindi, with the dengue serology of three patients confirmed as positive by the National Institute of Health.

District health officials reported that dengue larvae were found in a total of 997 houses across the city, with ongoing work in other union councils.

They stated that teams had been dispatched to the residences of patients admitted to government hospitals to conduct fogging and awareness campaigns.

Teams had also visited all union councils to educateresidents on prevention measures.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2025