Dengue Emergency
RAWALPINDI: Amid a concerning increase in dengue cases in Rawalpindi, local authorities have declared a health emergency in the district.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized the seriousness of the situation, announcing that various protective measures are being implemented to combat the rising threat of the dengue virus.
As part of these measures, emergency dengue counters have been established throughout the district to provide immediate assistance and information to residents.
In response to the escalating crisis, mobile teams have been deployed to actively work on curbing the spread of the dengue virus.
Health officials have indicated that a new variant of the dengue virus is now circulating, which poses greater dangers than previous strains. This development has prompted urgent action to mitigate potential outbreaks and protect the community.
The situation in Rawalpindi coincides with a broader global concern, as the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently announced a comprehensive plan to combat dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.
The WHO’s intervention comes in light of the accelerated spread of these diseases, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the alarming trend, stating that the rapid increase in dengue and other arboviral diseases requires a coordinated response across various sectors and borders.
The WHO’s report reveals a staggering rise in reported dengue cases, with approximately 12.3 million cases documented in just the first eight months of 2024.
This figure represents a significant increase compared to the entire year of 2023, which saw 6.5 million cases. Additionally, the report highlighted over 7,900 deaths attributed to dengue within the same timeframe, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Dengue fever, characterized by high fever and severe body aches, often goes unnoticed, as many individuals experience mild or no symptoms at all.
The WHO estimates that annual dengue infections range between 100 million and 400 million worldwide, reflecting the widespread nature of the disease.
As the situation unfolds in Rawalpindi and globally, health officials are urging communities to stay informed and take preventive measures against mosquito breeding to curb the alarming rise in dengue cases.
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