Rawalpindi finds dengue larvae at 42,200 sites during anti-dengue drive

RAWALPINDI: Health teams in Rawalpindi have detected dengue larvae at 42,200 locations during the ongoing anti-dengue campaign, heightening concern over the risk of an outbreak in the current season, according to officials.

Authorities said only two dengue-positive cases have been recorded so far, and no dengue patient is currently admitted to hospitals in the city or cantonment areas. A total of 1,648 people were screened for dengue. Of these, 1,584 were listed as suspected cases, while 62 were confirmed to be non-dengue patients. The two confirmed patients were treated and later discharged.

Officials said 1,260 health department teams carried out surveillance at 2,649,477 homes, where larvae were found in 35,937 houses and destroyed. The teams also checked 897,493 outdoor locations and detected larvae at 6,263 sites, with the larvae eliminated there as well.

The enforcement campaign also led to legal and administrative action against repeat violations. Authorities registered 668 FIRs against people where dengue larvae were repeatedly found despite warnings. In addition, 113 buildings were sealed, 560 challans were issued and fines amounting to Rs1.789 million were imposed. District Health Officer (Preventive) Dr Hafiz Jawad Zahid said anti-dengue work was being carried out daily and that guidelines were being given to prevent larvae from reappearing after elimination.