Dengue larvae discovery worries health authority
The discovery of dengue larvae at various locations during the winter season has worried health authorities in Rawalpindi. The district administration and health department have finalised a new "Dengue Control Plan" for this year.
In response to the larvae findings, dengue prevention activities have been intensified, and 2,000 new sanitary patrol workers have been recruited.
Under the new plan, all flood workers will be provided with Android mobile phones for field duty monitoring. A summary has been sent to the Punjab health department's director general for approval.
Previously, mobile phones had been provided to field staff but were withdrawn after they broke.
This year, the health department has decided to reissue phones to workers and in-charges.
Although dengue is currently off-season in Rawalpindi, substantial larvae have been found in the Chak Jalal Din area, prompting the deputy commissioner to initiate early dengue control measures. The new plan divides the Rawalpindi district into four zones, eight sectors, and 36 cluster centres, each with a dedicated in-charge. Special focus will be placed on construction sites, tyre shops, and scrap yards, as well as areas that reported dengue cases in 2024. Inspections will be monitored rigorously, and third-party surveys will be conducted.
If dengue larvae are found, departmental action will follow.
Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema has directed that dengue meetings be held, and the full campaign will begin on April 1, 2025, when the Dengue Control Act will also be enforced.
The district administration has emphasized the importance of community involvement in the dengue control efforts. Awareness campaigns will be launched to educate residents on preventive measures, such as eliminating standing water around homes and using mosquito repellents. Health teams will also distribute informational pamphlets and hold public meetings to ensure that residents actively participate in reducing mosquito breeding sites.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
20-02-2025
- Express Tribune
Dengue larvae discovery worries health authority
The discovery of dengue larvae at various locations during the winter season has worried health authorities in Rawalpindi. The district administration and health department have finalised a new "Dengue Control Plan" for this year. In response to the larvae findings, dengue prevention activities have been intensified, and 2,000 new sanitary patrol workers have been recruited. Under the new plan, all flood workers will be provided with Android mobile phones for field duty monitoring. A summary has been sent to the Punjab health department's director general for approval. Previously, mobile phones had been provided to field staff but were withdrawn after they broke. This year, the health department has decided to reissue phones to workers and in-charges. Although dengue is currently off-season in Rawalpindi, substantial larvae have been found in the Chak Jalal Din area, prompting the deputy commissioner to initiate early dengue control measures. The new plan divides the Rawalpindi district into four zones, eight sectors, and 36 cluster centres, each with a dedicated in-charge. Special focus will be placed on construction sites, tyre shops, and scrap yards, as well as areas that reported dengue cases in 2024. Inspections will be monitored rigorously, and third-party surveys will be conducted. If dengue larvae are found, departmental action will follow. Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema has directed that dengue meetings be held, and the full campaign will begin on April 1, 2025, when the Dengue Control Act will also be enforced. The district administration has emphasized the importance of community involvement in the dengue control efforts. Awareness campaigns will be launched to educate residents on preventive measures, such as eliminating standing water around homes and using mosquito repellents. Health teams will also distribute informational pamphlets and hold public meetings to ensure that residents actively participate in reducing mosquito breeding sites.
Express Tribune
17-02-2025
- Express Tribune
Catch-up drive kicks off to inoculate infants
RAWALPINDI: A month-long catch-up vaccination campaign has been launched in Rawalpindi district to immunise children aged 2 to 5 years who missed vaccinations during the previous drive has been launched. According to medics, the jabs protect against 12 life-threatening diseases, including diphtheria, pneumonia, meningitis, diarrhea, polio, tuberculosis, rubella, typhoid, hepatitis B, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus. The initiative comes in response to an increase in child mortality rates, which have been linked to a gap in immunisation. Due to a shortage of field staff, many children in the district did not receive the required vaccinations during infancy. To address this, the health department has now launched this special campaign to ensure these children are protected. The campaign was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema, along with Administrator of the District Health Authority and Chief Executive Officer Dr Asif Arbab Khan Niazi. The launch event was attended by Dr Shumaila, Area Coordinator for WHO in Rawalpindi, Dr Ihsan Ghani, District Health Officer (PS DHA), and other senior health officials. Speaking at the event, Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema and CEO Dr Asif Arbab Niazi emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts to safeguard public health. They also highlighted the need for community participation to ensure the campaign's success. The District Health Authority reaffirmed its commitment to expanding healthcare services and achieving immunization targets through collective efforts. The campaign is expected to reach thousands of children across the district, with mobile vaccination teams deployed to remote areas to ensure no child is left unvaccinated. Local authorities have urged parents to take advantage of the initiative and ensure their children are protected from preventable diseases. Additionally, health officials have stressed the importance of continuing regular immunization practices to avoid any future gaps in coverage, aiming to safeguard the health and well-being of the next generation.
Express Tribune
20-12-2024
- Express Tribune
Pindi marks first dengue-free day in five months
RAWALPINDI: For the first time in five months, Rawalpindi recorded no new dengue cases within the last 24 hours, signalling a significant victory against the endemic. According to the health authorities on Friday, the declining trend in dengue cases has now reached zero. Over the past week, the average number of new cases dropped to just two per day before reaching none. Currently, only eight patients are admitted to hospitals and will be discharged within a week. In light of the progress, dengue-special wards in both government and private hospitals have been converted back to regular wards, and hospital staff previously assigned to dengue duties have resumed standard roles. The district administration has also ceased holding dengue-related meetings. This year, Rawalpindi reported 6,607 dengue cases and 11 fatalities. Authorities registered 6,283 FIRs after discovering dengue larvae, sealed 1,899 properties, and issued 3,829 challans, collecting fines totalling Rs2.34 million. While the dengue campaign has officially ended, preparations for next year's plan are underway. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema has directed health officers to procure additional anti-dengue spray and new equipment. The anti-dengue strategy for 2025 is expected to be finalised by February 15. Additionally, the district is gearing up for an anti-polio campaign in January after the polio virus was detected in sewage samples. Dengue workers will also assist in anti-polio and anti-smog duties.
