Rawalpindi steps up anti-dengue drive despite single reported case
By Sadia Khan :
The District Health Authority Rawalpindi has launched an intensified campaign against dengue, even as only one case has been reported in the district so far this year.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Chief Executive Officer Dr Ehsan Ghani said the authority had recruited 1,000 sanitary patrol workers, including 900 women, to expand door-to-door surveillance and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. He added that additional female staff had been specifically assigned to household inspections.
Officials have identified 26 union councils in Rawalpindi as high-risk areas for dengue transmission. Dr Ghani urged residents to cooperate with health teams, noting that the city’s population of more than six million makes collective action essential.
He said anti-dengue teams were undergoing continuous training, while staff at private hospitals were also being trained to improve early diagnosis and response.
Highlighting the impact of climate change, Dr Ghani warned that shifting weather patterns could affect the behaviour and spread of the dengue virus, raising the possibility of an increase in cases later in the year. He said authorities were working on advance planning to contain any potential surge.
Residents were advised to remove stagnant water and cover water storage containers, as such conditions provide ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Dr Ghani also called on the media to help raise awareness about preventive measures.
District Health Officer (Preventive) Dr Hafiz Muhammad Jawad was also present at the briefing.
Recent surveillance conducted on 19 April showed that health teams inspected more than 9,000 houses, of which 454 were found to have dengue larvae. Out of 1,139 outdoor locations checked, 45 tested positive, bringing the total number of positive sites to 499.
Officials said overall surveillance coverage remained high at 97.3% last week, with 17,859 hotspots identified across the district, as authorities continue efforts to prevent an outbreak.
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