ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: As many as 46 new cases of dengue were reported in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in a single day on Saturday.

In Islamabad, 25 dengue patients landed in hospitals taking the season’s tally to 435, while in Rawalpindi 21 cases were reported. In the garrison city the number of patients this year has been recorded at 319, which was relatively low compared to Islamabad.

According to the District Health Office (DHO) Islamabad, out of 25 cases, 18 were reported from rural areas and seven surfaced from the urban localities.

As many as eight cases were detected in Bhara Kahu, four were found in Sohan, two in G-5 and one each surfaced in Alipur, G-13, G-6, I-8, I-9, Koral, Rawat, Sihala, Tarlai, Tarnol and H-13.

Capital outnumbers garrison city in number of patients this season

“Among them, 14 patients have been admitted to hospitals. So far, a total of 435 confirmed cases have been reported during the ongoing season, and response to all cases has been carried out in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols,” an official of the DHO said.

He said as part of the anti-dengue measures, spray was conducted at homes of confirmed patients and surrounding areas. Fogging activities were carried out at 176 locations to eliminate mosquitoes and prevent further spread. So far, over 9,100 positive larvae sites have been eliminated, while over 41,640 anti-dengue activities have been conducted, he claimed.

The District Health Office Islamabad has urged the public to follow preventive measures, particularly covering water containers, tanks, and coolers, to help stop the spread of dengue. Citizens have been encouraged to play an active role in protecting their own health as well as the health of others.

In Islamabad dengue season usually starts in March and ends in November. Pakistan has experienced many outbreaks of dengue since 1994, with major outbreaks reported in 2005, 2011 and 2019.

Around 6,000 cases of dengue with 52 deaths were reported from Karachi in 2005; over 21,000 cases with 350 deaths were reported from Lahore in 2011 and around 50,000 cases with 79 deaths were reported in 2019 from across the country.

In Rawalpindi, most patients arrived from Kalyal, Gangal, Adiala, Chaklala, Takht Pari, Wah Cantonment ward 10, Gulistan Colony, Dhama Syedan, Dhoke Munshi, Kotha Kalan, Peshawar Road, Tench Bhatta, Bakra Mandi, Chur Chowk, Fauji Colony, Hazara Colony, Muslim Town, Ratta Amral and Satellite Town.

Holy Family Hospital took the initiative to increase beds in dengue ward to accommodate 100 patients. “We received patients from Rawalpindi as well as from Islamabad so we had to increase the beds in the ward,” said a senior doctor at Holy Family Hospital.

“More than 30pc above normal rain in Rawalpindi was the main reason for increase in the number of dengue patients, followed by inefficient health workers,” he said.

The doctor said water shortage forced people to save water in uncovered tanks providing a breeding place to dengue mosquitoes while the civic bodies especially in cantonment areas failed to clear nullahs during monsoon as a result of which water accumulated in streets and roads.

He said the district administration had been working with Islamabad administration to clear the border areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as most dengue patients surfaced from these areas.

He said the civic bodies had been asked to clear graveyards, junkyards, tyre markets and public parks of water on priority basis.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2025