RAWALPINDI: After four suspected dengue patients were reported at Holy Family Hospital (HFH), Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood on Friday asked the district administration to speed up work to eliminate dengue larvae before monsoon begins.

In the last week, dengue larvae were found in 21 areas of the district, including 10 sites around Noor Khan Airbase, six in Raja bazaar and adjoining areas, two in Taxila and one each in Rawalpindi, Chaklala and Gujar Khan.

According to a report presented to the commissioner, four suspected dengue patients were brought to HFH, however, there was no suspected patient in other tehsils of Rawalpindi including Murree, Taxila, Gujar Khan, Kotli Sattian, Kalar Syedan and Kahuta.

“A total of 9,670 hotspots were identified in Rawalpindi district. Concerned authorities conducted inspection in 2,765 sites and 6,905 spots are yet to be visited for dengue surveillance. These hotspots are 956 mosques and Imambargahs, 71 parks, 405 factories, 1,037 hotels, 45 nurseries, 1,182 schools, 457 junkyards, 54 water ponds, 1,142 workshops, 976 under construction sites, 135 educational institutions, 518 tyre shops, 311 service stations, 168 hospitals, 297 graveyards, 141 marriage halls, 483 godowns, 164 abandoned buildings, 58 dispensaries, four swimming pools and 372 garbage collecting points,” the report stated.

Mr Mehmood expressed concern over the slow speed of dengue surveillance and said that the provincial government had asked to pay attention to the looming threat from dengue, in the coming days, so anti-dengue campaign could speed up.

He asked the district administration to create awareness among people about dengue virus and urged people to adopt safety measures.

“Though, it is not possible to arrange seminars and workshops, it is the duty of Auqaf department to make announcements in mosques and imambargahs about safety measures,” he said, adding people should clean their rooftops, remove water from roofs, water coolers and other places to avoid breading dengue mosquitoes. “Residents should make a list of their water tanks, water cooler and others so health authority teams can prepare a list,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2020