A noticeable rise in dengue cases has been observed in Islamabad, with the latest data showing eight new cases reported within the past 24 hours. These cases were confirmed by Dr. Zaeem, the District Health Officer (DHO), who shared that six of the new cases originated in rural areas, while two were from urban regions.
Throughout the year, Islamabad has recorded 93 dengue cases in total, with the majority of those affected falling between the ages of 20 and 45. Previously, efforts to combat the spread of included inspections, and during one of these, dengue larvae were discovered at a tyre shop in Kabari Bazaar. This led to the registration of a case against the shop owner, Amanullah, as larvae had been found in his workshop.
Efforts to curb spread further extended to Rawalpindi, where on June 23, a significant number of dengue larvae were detected. From January 1, 2024, anti-dengue teams inspected 8,064 locations, as reported by the District Health Authority. Dr. Sajjad Mehmood, the District Coordinator Epidemics Prevention and Control, emphasized that 999 teams had been involved in the surveillance efforts, with 788 focusing on indoor areas and 211 conducting outdoor inspections.
Reports indicated that 6,735 homes were found to have dengue larvae during the indoor inspections, while 1,361 outdoor sites were also affected. Dengue, a viral disease transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has been spreading rapidly across the globe in recent years.
Additionally, the Aedes albopictus mosquito, though less prevalent, also plays a role in the transmission of the virus. Continued efforts are being made to reduce mosquito breeding sites and prevent further outbreaks.
