The dengue outbreak is getting worse in major cities of Pakistan with each passing day as 98 patients were diagnosed with dengue in past 24 hours in Lahore, whereas Islamabad reported 72 new dengue cases and Karachi Health Department confirmed 192 dengue cases, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.  

The dengue outbreak does not seem to take a back seat yet and the ordeal is inflicting more sufferings in already calamity-hit people.  It has assumed the proportion of an epidemic in the flood hit provinces Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, South Punjab and Capital territory.

Dengue cases in Lahore have seen a sharp rise as 98 new dengue patients were brought to the hospital in a single day while around 177 patients are already under treatment in public and private health centers in the city. Moreover, 1,696 dengue larvae were recovered from different places during the anti-dengue campaign, which were disposed of on the spot.

On the other side, the Capital territory is also facing a surge in dengue cases. At least 72 people were affected by mosquito bite in last 24 hours and 15 more people are diagnosed with dengue in PIMS hospital. 

According to the District Health Officer, the total number of dengue patients in Islamabad reached 943. 601 dengue cases were reported in urban areas whereas 342 cases were reported in rural areas. 

As per data, 48 more dengue cases were reported in urban areas during the last 24 hours and 24 cases of dengue were reported in rural areas. There are 144 dengue patients under treatment in PIMS Hospital, 22 dengue patients in Polyclinic and 18 patients are under treatment in Capital Hospital respectively. The virus have claimed 4 lives in the capital. 

The situation in Karachi is also precarious because 192 more people diagnosed with dengue in last 24 hours. 9 people have succumbed to death due to this virus in Shehr-e-Qaid so far as per Sindh Health Department. 

As per date provided by Sindh Health Department, the number of people affected by dengue in Karachi has exceeded 1620 this month while the number of people affected by dengue in Karachi this year has reached 3827. 

DC Lahore directs to seal schools for violating dengue SOPs

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore took strict action against public and private schools for not following dengue awareness guidelines and issued them show-cause notices. He also summoned the relevant authorities of Education Department for not implementing the dengue standard operating procedures (SOPs) properly, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday. 

Pakistan is grappled with growing epidemic dengue and its cases are increasing exceedingly with each passing day. In the light of ongoing dengue situation, DC Lahore Muhammad Ali’s strict monitoring process continues. 

According to details, DC Lahore paid a surprise visit to Government Middle School for Boys Canal Park earlier in the morning where he reprimanded the headmaster for the poor management of cleanliness in the office. He, then, visited the children's classrooms and inquired about the lecture about zero period and dengue awareness. He expressed his utter disappointment for not having dengue zero period in the school and issued show-cause notices to two teachers Iqbal and Rashid including the headmaster of the school Rana Mehmood for not providing dengue instructions to students on daily basis. 

After that, DC Lahore visited Lahore Grammar School (LGS) Gulberg in order to check dengue (SOPs) and appreciated the concerned school administration for conducting dengue zero period in the school. 

“All the private and public educational institution must ensure the dengue SOPs and a strict action would be taken against those who disobey the directives," said DC Lahore. 

He directed the authorities to seal the public and private schools who are violating dengue SOPs and also summoned high-ups of Education department in this regard. 

“No negligence will be tolerated in the dengue campaign,” DC Lahore assured the locals.

 

Reporter: Rao Dilshad Hussain