Rawalpindi ( The COW News Digital)The dengue outbreak in northern Punjab continues to intensify as 11 new cases were reported in Rawalpindi and Murree within the past 24 hours, according to health officials.
The District Health Department confirmed on Wednesday that Rawalpindi recorded 7 new dengue patients, while Murree added 4 fresh cases. The total number of infections this season has now reached 159 in Rawalpindi and 81 in Murree, raising concerns about further spread in the coming weeks.
Officials stated that the continuous monsoon rains and stagnant water are providing favorable breeding grounds for mosquitoes, fueling the rise in dengue infections. The situation has prompted the district administration and health authorities to issue a red alert, with anti-dengue teams mobilized to carry out fumigation, larvicidal sprays, and community awareness drives.
As of now, 92 patients are admitted in various government and private hospitals across Rawalpindi, while 25 individuals are receiving treatment in hospitals in Murree. Doctors are monitoring the condition of several patients closely, though no new fatalities have been reported in the past 48 hours.
Health experts have warned that the next few weeks will be critical, given the ongoing rainy season. “This is a highly sensitive period for dengue transmission,” one senior epidemiologist said. “People must take personal precautions such as using mosquito repellents, covering water containers, and ensuring their surroundings remain clean and dry.”
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has also issued an advisory warning of a heightened risk of vector-borne diseases due to flooding and stagnant water in many parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials stressed that public cooperation is crucial to prevent the crisis from worsening.
Residents have been urged to immediately seek medical attention in case of high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, or unexplained bleeding—common symptoms associated with dengue fever. The Health Department has also appealed to citizens to report any mosquito breeding sites in their neighborhoods so that timely action can be taken.
With dengue cases already climbing past seasonal averages, authorities are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak. However, they acknowledged that without active community participation, the fight against dengue will remain a significant challenge
