Dengue situation under control in Islamabad, says health chief

Published
0
This file photo shows a dengue mosquito. — AFP/File
This file photo shows a dengue mosquito. — AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: The Directorate of Health Services on Sunday said the dengue situation in Islamabad was under control, with only two confirmed cases reported so far.

“So far, only two cases have been reported in Islamabad, and neither originally belonged to the capital city, as surveillance teams are doing remarkable door-to-door work to spread awareness among citizens,” said DG Health Services MCI/CDA Dr Irshad Ali Jokhio.

He said around 1,000 staff members were in the field to create awareness among citizens.

“I would request citizens to cooperate with our teams. Our purpose is the safety of citizens. There is no truth in reports that we are registering FIRs against owners of houses where larvae are found,” he said.

He added that wherever larvae were found in houses, the teams informed the owners and took steps to prevent their growth.

“Therefore, I would request citizens to fully cooperate with our teams. They are here for your help,” Dr Jokhio said, adding that within 15 days, the teams had removed 4,000 larvae from Islamabad.

Responding to a query, he said, “No, it is totally wrong that we have registered FIRs against citizens. On the first visit, if we find larvae, we immediately destroy them. Then we ask citizens to avoid stagnation of water in the future. After 15 days, our teams make another visit to check the status. If larvae are still found, our teams once again request the owners to remove the stagnant water.”

“After the third visit, if no action is taken by the house owners, notices are served for continued violation of SOPs,” he said.

He added that the chief commissioner and deputy commissioner of Islamabad and other concerned officers had been directly monitoring the dengue campaign.

“Their supervision helps us combat dengue in an efficient manner,” he said.

“I once again make it clear that there is no action against citizens; action is taken only in cases of repeated violations. Therefore, I would request citizens to cooperate with our teams, as without public support, targets cannot be achieved. So far, the public response has been very good, which has resulted in the removal of 4,000 larvae in 15 days,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2026

Opinion

Editorial

After the talks
Updated 05 Oct, 2026

After the talks

Considering how close they came to a solution, govt and opposition teams should reconvene to give the talks another chance.
Child safety online
Updated 05 Oct, 2026

Child safety online

Pakistani children are spending more of their lives online, but the safeguards around them are not keeping pace.
Rising public debt
05 Oct, 2026

Rising public debt

Pakistan’s public debt has surged by 76pc to Rs86.7tr in four years, according to a new government report.
Yemen offensive
Updated 04 Oct, 2026

Yemen offensive

The best option, therefore, is for Muslim and Arab states to help restore the Saudi-Houthi ceasefire.
Growth transition
04 Oct, 2026

Growth transition

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent call to move from stabilisation to growth, job creation and export ...
Protection at risk
04 Oct, 2026

Protection at risk

THE recent warning from UNHCR should alarm donor governments. Nearly 8.3m refugees and other forcibly displaced...