RAWALPINDI: The district administration has declared 16 union councils and cantonment wards as high-risk areas for dengue and directed the District Health Authority to ensure regular sweeping and surveillance in these localities.

The high-risk areas include Shakrial North, Shakrial South, Khanna Dak, Chaklala, Dhoke Munshi, Kotha Kallan, Morgah, Dhama Syedan, Dhamial, Chak Jalal Din, Girja, Kulyal, Chaklala Cantonment Ward-2 and Rawalpindi Cantonment wards 2, 10 and 14.

According to official data, 2,871 dengue patients were reported from these areas in 2024, while 529 cases have already been recorded in 2025. Dhamial reported the highest number of cases this year, with more than 103 patients.

On the directives of Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, the District Health Authority has launched a special sweeping plan, which is expected to be completed by June 15.

Under the plan, 515 teams will inspect and clear 213,569 houses, while another 157 teams will target 46,789 potential dengue breeding sites in the identified union councils.

Chairing a meeting of the District Emergency and Control Committee, Dr Cheema directed officials to ensure regular sweeping operations across all union councils and warned that negligence in anti-dengue measures would not be tolerated. Member National Assembly Tahira Aurangzeb and senior officials of the district health authority attended the meeting.

The deputy commissioner also instructed all assistant commissioners to personally monitor anti-dengue activities and submit daily reports.

“The current season is very important regarding dengue. All concerned departments should focus on dengue prevention,” he said.

He directed authorities to pay special attention to areas where dengue larvae had previously been detected and where cases had been reported in the past. He also called for awareness campaigns in these localities, stressing that preventive measures were essential to avoid a dengue outbreak.

Dr Cheema said announcements should be made through mosques in areas where dengue larvae were found, while community leaders and local dignitaries should visit homes to educate residents about preventive measures.

He emphasised the need for timely case response and directed officials to resolve dengue-related complaints uploaded on the monitoring dashboard without delay.

The deputy commissioner also instructed dengue teams to closely monitor junkyards, tyre shops and under-construction buildings, which are considered major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

He urged citizens to cover stored water in their homes to prevent the growth of dengue larvae.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026