Rising temperatures are causing another outbreak of dengue in Rawalpindi.
With an increase in heat in the first week of May, breeding of the mosquitos larvae responsible for dengue fever has been triggered.
So far, as many as eight patients have tested positive for dengue; alerting the district administration and health officers.
Dengue larvae have been found from graveyards, open points, homes, tyre shops and workshops.
According to Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation officials, Rs 4 million is needed to clear bushes from the 68 graveyards of the city. These bushes and wild plants are acting as breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes.
During last week, dengue larvae were found from Cantt and city’s 70 different points. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa has taken strict notice of the situation; directing for continued dengue search campaign on a daily basis despite ongoing polio and nutrition drive.
Lady health workers have also been strictly directed to check 30 houses every day while surveillance teams are asked to check graveyards, empty places, tyre shops, houses and offices on a daily basis.
For the first time, public officers have been cautioned that cases would be registered if dengue larvae are found at a public space.
The authorities have been asked to carry out an anti-dengue campaign in Rawalpindi-Islamabad surrounding areas of IG Principal Road; Islamabad Expressway; Rawat; Peshawar Morh and others within the limits of Islamabad.
Realising the emergency situation, the DC presided over a meeting, which was attended by health officers.
The meeting was told that in the cities if Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad in Punjab, eight dengue cases have reached hospitals.
However, in Rawalpindi, dozens of patients have were said to have come with dengue fever.
None of them has been verified with dengue. Meanwhile, dengue fever has lodged an attack in Punjab.
