RAWALPINDI: A dengue patient was reported in the garrison city on Tuesday, taking the total tally to seven in the current season.

A patient from Dhama Syedan was brought to Holy Family Hospital, where he was shifted to the dengue ward. Earlier, a patient from Asghar Mall Scheme was reported on Sept 9.

District Health Officer Preventive Dr Jawad Zahid told Dawn that two dengue patients had been reported in September, four detected in July and one in March. However, he said the spread of the dengue virus was under control, as 582 patients were reported in the garrison city last year, compared to only seven this year.

He said an anti-dengue campaign had been launched in the garrison city and 1,400 teams had been formed for indoor and outdoor surveillance. He said the highest number of larvae had been detected in Misrial Road, Afshan Colony and Allama Iqbal Colony in Rawalpindi Cantonment, while significant larvae detection areas included Naseerabad, Morgah, Dhama Syedan, Pirwadhai, Dhamyal, Hazara Colony, Pindora, Dhoke Mangtal, Dhoke Ratta and Chak Jalaldin.

During the anti-dengue campaign in the current season, larvae were found at more than 145,572 locations in houses and open spaces, all of which were destroyed.

He said action had been taken over violations of dengue SOPs, with 2,543 FIRs registered, 652 buildings sealed and 2,119 challans issued. Fines amounting to Rs2.568 million were imposed on violators.

He said the number of field staff had been increased as part of the anti-dengue campaign. The more larvae that were located and destroyed, he said, the more the dengue threat could be reduced.

He urged citizens to keep their houses and rooftops clean and prevent stagnant water from accumulating to stop dengue breeding in their homes under any circumstances.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2026