RAWALPINDI: Another 11 dengue patients from the garrison city landed in three government run hospitals, taking the season’s tally to 70.

At present, 20 patients are under treatment at three government-run hospitals including Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital.

As of now, a total of 70 dengue patients have been reported in the district this year.

For comparison, the numbers were 152 last year, 133 in 2023, and 175 in 2022, all reported up to August 25.

Vulnerable areas this year are Gujar Khan, Chak Jalal Din, Dhoke Dalal, Khanna Dak, Chaklala, Lakkhan and cantonment areas of Rawalpindi and Chaklala, which have reported 36 patients so far this season.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema urged people to play their role and coordinate with the anti-dengue teams so they can clear the areas from the dengue larvae.

He said that it is impossible to control dengue without cooperation of the citizens. Awareness among the people regarding dengue is the need of the hour, he added.

He directed that all departments should coordinate aimed at speeding up the campaign to make dengue activity more effective. Mr Cheema said that all the departments concerned should focus all their attention on controlling dengue.

He said that areas affected by dengue last year should be swept clean by conducting indoor and outdoor surveillance.

He said that every individual has to play his role by making the dengue campaign a success. The recent rains have indeed created a high risk of dengue virus spread, particularly in low-lying areas where water tends to accumulate.

This standing water provides a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit the virus.

He said that the staff would be deputed on different areas of the city where the dengue mosquitoes found during ongoing anti-dengue campaign.

The officials of district health authority informed the meeting that the District Health Authority in last seven days found dengue larvae at 761 spots.

The health authority imposed Rs8 million cumulative fine on violation of dengue standard operating procedures, lodged FIRs and issued Challans while 89 premises sealed in last seven days.

In its ongoing anti-dengue campaign, district administration took strict action against the violators of dengue SOPs.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2025