TAXILA: The local administration and health authorities have failed to check the spread of dengue in Taxila and Wah as 43 people have so far tested positive for the fever.

The number of positive cases increased from 12 to 43 this month. The health department’s focal person on dengue, Dr Shahid Farooq, confirmed to Dawn that so far 43 patients had tested positive for dengue.

Responding a question, he said 766 suspected and 84 probable patients were registered during the current season. This is the highest number of confirmed and suspected patients in Taxila and Wah, he added.

When contacted, Deputy District Health Officer Dr Sarah Qadeer said special arrangements had been made to check growth of dengue larva. She said all patients were being given proper treatment and a special ward had been set up at THQ hospital for dengue patients.

Though the number of dengue cases rose to 43, the concerned civic authorities have failed to launch a fumigation drive in various localities.

According to health experts, lack of anti-dengue spray in residential as well as commercial areas posed health hazards for residents of Lalazar, Lalarukh, Muneerabad, Gulshan Colony, Gulistan Colony, Chairman Colony, Shahawali Colony, Nawababad, Malikabad, Gadwal, Gulberg and Ismailabad.

Meanwhile, seven dengue positive cases were reported from Jand, according to the district health department.

All the dengue positive patients were shifted to different hospitals of Rawalpindi due to paucity of health and treatment facilities at Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Jand.

When contacted, District Health Department Chief Executive Officer Dr Sohail Ejaz confirmed that this year the highest number of dengue cases was reported from the town.

He said precautionary measures were not adopted by the health authorities concerned as per the standing operating procedure. Their negligence has been reported to the health authorities for departmental action, he added.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2019