Murree becomes dengue 'epicentre'
District Health Authority CEO Ehsan Ghani confirmed on Monday that with 34 total confirmed cases across the district, including 20 in Rawalpindi and 14 in Murree, the authority is deploying robust surveillance, strategic interventions, and community engagement to curb the spread of the virus.
According to the DHA's official data, as of August 4, Rawalpindi hospitals have screened 4,076 patients, identifying 3,819 suspected cases, 2 probable cases, and 34 confirmed cases, with 8 patients currently admitted. No dengue-related deaths have been reported this year.
To tackle the outbreak in Murree, the authority has established control rooms at Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Murree and the Basic Health Units in Charhaan, Ban, and Danda to manage patient care efficiently, particularly in the Ghail area.
The DHA has mobilised staff from multiple sectors, including the Clean Punjab programme and the education department, to execute a detailed work plan targeting hard-to-reach hilly areas. The enhanced surveillance includes rigorous indoor and outdoor checking with the education department, and local influencers are driving community awareness and participation.
THQ Hospital Murree and Samli Sanatorium serve as primary referral points, with private hospitals and CMH integrated for timely treatment and monitoring. The data showed that since January 01, vector surveillance has covered 4,113,932 houses, identifying 46,282 dengue larvae-positive sites, and 1,083,685 spots, with 9,880 positive for larvae. All 56,162 detected larvae sites have been eliminated following standard protocols.
Towards punitive actions and enforcing compliance, the DHA has filed 1,747 FIRs, sealed 1,090 premises, issued 3,279 challans, and imposed fines totalling Rs3,161,500.0.
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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Murree becomes dengue 'epicentre'
Authorities have intensified dengue prevention and control efforts in Rawalpindi, with a particular focus on Union Council Ghail in Murree, identified as the epicentre of the outbreak after 14 cases were confirmed. District Health Authority CEO Ehsan Ghani confirmed on Monday that with 34 total confirmed cases across the district, including 20 in Rawalpindi and 14 in Murree, the authority is deploying robust surveillance, strategic interventions, and community engagement to curb the spread of the virus. According to the DHA's official data, as of August 4, Rawalpindi hospitals have screened 4,076 patients, identifying 3,819 suspected cases, 2 probable cases, and 34 confirmed cases, with 8 patients currently admitted. No dengue-related deaths have been reported this year. To tackle the outbreak in Murree, the authority has established control rooms at Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Murree and the Basic Health Units in Charhaan, Ban, and Danda to manage patient care efficiently, particularly in the Ghail area. The DHA has mobilised staff from multiple sectors, including the Clean Punjab programme and the education department, to execute a detailed work plan targeting hard-to-reach hilly areas. The enhanced surveillance includes rigorous indoor and outdoor checking with the education department, and local influencers are driving community awareness and participation. THQ Hospital Murree and Samli Sanatorium serve as primary referral points, with private hospitals and CMH integrated for timely treatment and monitoring. The data showed that since January 01, vector surveillance has covered 4,113,932 houses, identifying 46,282 dengue larvae-positive sites, and 1,083,685 spots, with 9,880 positive for larvae. All 56,162 detected larvae sites have been eliminated following standard protocols. Towards punitive actions and enforcing compliance, the DHA has filed 1,747 FIRs, sealed 1,090 premises, issued 3,279 challans, and imposed fines totalling Rs3,161,500.0.
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Cervical cancer prevention drive on the cards
As part of Pakistan's ongoing national immunisation programme to protect children from twelve life-threatening diseases, a new and critical initiative is being launched to vaccinate girls aged 9 to 15 against cervical cancer — a highly fatal yet preventable disease. The vaccination campaign is set to begin in Rawalpindi on September 18, with the District Health Authority (DHA) already initiating the training of master trainers in preparation. Cervical cancer, primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), carries a staggering mortality rate of 85%. Health experts emphasise that a single dose of the vaccine is sufficient to provide lasting immunity against the virus, offering a powerful defence against one of the most lethal forms of cancer affecting women globally. Until now, Pakistan's immunization efforts have focused on protecting children from twelve major diseases — tuberculosis, diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, tetanus, pneumonia, polio, diarrhoea, typhoid, TB, and hepatitis B. However, the rising number of cervical cancer cases, particularly among young girls, has raised alarm across public health circles. Pakistan now ranks seventh globally in cervical cancer prevalence. Medical experts stress that early vaccination — between the ages of 9 and 15 — not only strengthens the immune response but also offers long-term protection before potential exposure to the virus. According to Dr Ehsan Ghani, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DHA Rawalpindi, the campaign will be rolled out in phases, beginning in Punjab and Sindh, and later expanding to Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), and Balochistan. To ensure smooth execution, training programmes for vaccination teams are already underway. Master trainers are being equipped with specialised knowledge, and a comprehensive micro-planning framework has been finalised. Teams will function at three administrative levels — Union Council Medical Officers (UC MOs), Deputy District Health Officers (DDEHOs), and District Health Officers (DHOs) — to ensure coordinated implementation. The initiative will be closely monitored by international partners, including UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), to uphold global standards of safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Express Tribune
22-07-2025
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Anti-dengue drive ramped up
In response to the increase in dengue mosquito breeding during the rainy season, the District Health Authority (DHA) has accelerated its dengue prevention efforts. To curb the spread of dengue, the authority has significantly enhanced indoor and outdoor surveillance, with field teams focusing on intensified larvae detection and elimination activities. "Wherever larvae are found, we are conducting Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), and in areas where adult mosquitoes are detected, fogging is also being carried out as recommended by entomologists," said DHA Chief Dr Asif Arbab Niazi. He said the authority was targeting daily hotspots, such as open plots and areas with stagnant water to prevent larvae development.
