RAWALPINDI: With the onset of summer, five people have been diagnosed with dengue virus in the garrison city during the past five days.

According to official data, five people arrived in three government-run hospitals with high fever and other symptoms of the virus. Two patients each arrived from Potohar Town and cantonment areas respectively while one patient arrived from downtown. Three patients were admitted in Quaid-i-Azam International Hospital and one patient each was admitted in Holy Family Hospital and Social Security Hospital respectively. From Jan 1 to May 12, seven people have been diagnosed with the virus in the city.

According to health officials, in 2021, two dengue cases surfaced from January to May while in 2022, seven confirmed dengue patients were reported. Dengue wards have been established in Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital.

“Dengue counters have been established in emergency departments and outdoor patient departments (OPDs) in government-run hospitals,” said Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Umer, while talking to Dawn.

He said the training of doctors and paramedical staff had been done to deal with dengue patients, adding doctors and nurses had been deployed in the ward.

“We are ready to face the new challenge of dengue. The doctors and all staff in the hospital will face the challenge of dengue virus,” he said.

On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq asked the District Health Authority and other departments to speed up the drive to counter spread of the disease in low lying areas.

“There is dire need to launch coordinated efforts to avoid spread of the disease in the upcoming monsoon season,” he said while speaking during a meeting to review the situation.

He said that health teams found hotspots of dengue larvae; most dengue mosquitoes are found in workshops and under-construction buildings and hotels. The administration has asked authorities to remove stagnant water from streets and roads.

He said the provincial government directed the administration to speed up efforts to avoid spread of dengue virus in the city.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2022