RAWALPINDI, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 24th Aug, 2026) Rawalpindi has recorded a dramatic reduction in dengue fever transmission during the 2026 epidemic season, achieving a 91.2 percent decrease in confirmed cases compared to the corresponding period last year.
According to official data, six confirmed dengue cases have been reported so far since January, down from 68 during the same timeframe in 2025. Zero confirmed cases were registered in August 2026, compared to 89 in August 2025. Out of 3,171 individuals screened this year, only two remain admitted, with zero fatalities. Field containment operations covered over 4.13 million house visits, eliminating 107,661 larvae clusters across 100 percent of registered hotspots.
Briefing on vector control measures, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Jawad Zahid told APP that over 1,400 active surveillance teams maintained complete weekly coverage across 17,859 registered hotspots. Targeted early-season vector suppression destroyed 44,543 larvae in August alone, while a 14-day sweeping drive across 20 high-risk Union Councils (UCs) utilized 261 specialized teams to inspect 101,325 homes and 33,670 high-risk spots.
In an exclusive interaction regarding risk stratification and statutory enforcement, Dr. Jawad said that out of 190 evaluated UCs, 35 fell into the critical risk band.
Highest larval densities were identified in Morgah, Khana Dak and Chaklala.
“SOP enforcement resulted in 1,670 First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged, 440 premises sealed, 1,565 challans issued and PKR 1,998,000 in fines”, he said.
Dr. Zahid highlighted community mobilization initiatives, including 2,692 student volunteers designated as “Dengue Warriors” across public schools for weekly self-surveillance. The administration verified 33,108 household inspection checklists signed by parents. World Dengue Day campaigns involved distributing over 20,000 pamphlets, 700 banners, and 3,000 streamers alongside awareness walks.
The District Health Officer confirmed that a synchronized ‘One City – One Fight’ framework was established with Islamabad along shared corridors (Islamabad Expressway, IJP Road, GT Road) for joint larviciding and data sharing.
Moreover, 817 General Practitioners were given relevant training to emhamce capacity buildi. A five-tier epidemic plan allowed hospitals to increase dedicated bed capacity from 300 to over 1,000 beds across allied hospitals while maintaining stocks of IV fluids, testing kits and larvicides (anti larva compound).
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