Islamabad: Health authorities have intensified anti-dengue operations across Islamabad after field teams detected and destroyed 9,549 mosquito-larvae breeding sites in a single week, highlighting the risk of dengue transmission during the post-monsoon period.
District Health Officer Islamabad Dr Syeda Rashida Batool said intensive surveillance and vector-control measures were under way in urban and rural areas, particularly at locations identified as dengue hotspots.
Official data showed that six dengue cases were reported in Islamabad between January 1 and September 7 this year, including three from rural areas and three from urban localities.
Although the number of confirmed patients remains low, the discovery of thousands of active breeding sites points to widespread mosquito activity and the possibility of increased transmission if preventive measures are not maintained.
Anti-dengue teams conducted 262,630 surveillance and control activities across the federal capital between September 1 and 7. These included indoor and outdoor inspections, larval surveillance, visits to high-risk areas and public-awareness activities.
During the week, teams visited 6,430 dengue hotspots and inspected 54,627 houses as part of indoor vector surveillance.
Health officials said inspections were being focused on houses, rooftops, vacant plots, construction sites, water-storage containers, discarded tyres, coolers, flowerpots and other places where rainwater can collect.
Dengue is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which breeds in clean stagnant water. Experts warn that even a small quantity of water left standing in containers, rooftops or household items can provide breeding space for mosquitoes.
Dr Rashida Batool said public cooperation was essential, as surveillance teams could not eliminate mosquito breeding without residents ensuring that water containers, yards, rooftops and surrounding areas were kept clean and dry.
The Ministry of National Health Services is also reviewing anti-dengue operations twice a week to assess field surveillance, hotspot coverage and the removal of larvae from identified breeding sites.
Officials said the ministry and the District Health Office Islamabad were coordinating with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to send dengue-prevention messages to mobile-phone users in the capital.
Residents have been urged to cover water tanks and containers, clean coolers regularly, remove standing water after rainfall, clear rooftops and allow anti-dengue teams to inspect premises where larvae may be present.
Health authorities said the coming weeks would be crucial, as warm and humid conditions following rains can accelerate mosquito breeding and turn a limited number of cases into a wider outbreak if preventive measures are ignored. Ends