ISLAMABAD: As many as 27 more cases of dengue were reported from different areas of the capital.

District Health Officer Dr Zaeem Zia said 25 cases surfaced in rural areas and two in urban areas during the last 24 hours. Patients have been kept in 10 hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Out of 25 cases, 12 were reported from Tarlai followed by five from Koral, three from Alipur, two from Sohan and one each from Rawat, Tarnol and Bhara Kahu.

Three of the patients were admitted in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), four each in Polyclinic and Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), 13 in Holy Family Hospital and three in Combined Military Hospital.

The number of dengue cases in the capital rose to 134, Dr Zia added.

During the last 24 hours, 988 indoor residual spraying and 2,614 fogging activities were conducted in different areas of the capital to prevent the spread of dengue and eliminate potential breeding points for the larvae, he said, adding his team visited Ghouri Town and analysed hotspots and potential breeding sites.

Besides, awareness was also created among residents of areas where mosquito larvae are found, he said, adding people were requested to look at their surroundings, not let water stand anywhere, wear full sleeves and use mosquito repellants.

Extensive operations are being carried out for the safety of residents of Islamabad, Dr Zia said, adding 28 different teams of District Health Office visited 786 sites in the capital on Thursday.

About seven houses were found with stagnant water, he said, adding 366 opened containers were also found and out of the total 233 were covered and 73 were destroyed.

The DHO said 660 potential breeding sites were also found and all were eliminated.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2021