ISLAMABAD: Keeping in view the increasing number of dengue patients, the capital administration put a ban on accumulation of freshwater in the city.

A ban was also imposed on storage and display of tyres at open places.

The accumulation of water becomes a breeding ground for the virus that causes dengue fever. Discharge of water from houses into streets and roads, accumulation of freshwater in the form of ponds without covers, running of fountains, standing water in plant pots, lawns and gardens carry the threat of exposing the citizens to the mosquito borne disease.

Moreover, shops displaying tyres outside and in the open or storage of moist and uncovered tyres can also be a breeding spot for the virus.

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) spokesman Dr Wasim Khawaja said at present 17 dengue patients were kept in the hospital. The number of isolation wards has been increased from two to four.

Dengue patients are coming to the hospital from Islamabad, Kashmir, KP and Punjab, he added.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat said the Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI) was responsible for carrying out fumigation in urban areas while in rural areas the task was to be done by the district health department. However, fumigation is not the proper way to counter dengue as it is increasing resistance of the mosquito, he added.

Cleanliness and checking accumulation of water are the only ways to stop the breeding ground of the mosquito that causes the dengue fever. Capital’s urban areas are much safer compared to the rural areas as mosquitoes do not breed in the urban areas’ environment, the DC said, adding the rural areas, especially those located at the border and adjacent to Rawalpindi, were at risk.

He said officials from the capital administration on Friday visited several areas and imposed a fine of Rs150,000 on those found responsible for accumulation of water on their premises. Scores of potholes, a source of water accumulation, at G-13 and Rawat were also filled.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2019