ISLAMABAD: As many as 34 new dengue cases have been reported in Islamabad over the past 24 hours, taking the number of patients under treatment in various hospitals across the city to 66, according to the latest official report.
In response to the rising number of cases, the Islamabad administration has directed its teams to intensify surveillance in high-risk areas. Officials said fumigation and public awareness campaigns are being accelerated to curb the spread of the mosquito-borne virus.
The district administration has also warned that strict action will be taken against violations of standard operating procedures (SOPs), adding that several sites found breaching guidelines have already been sealed.
“All preventive and anti-dengue measures will continue without interruption until the city is completely free of the virus,” the district administration stated.
Dengue fever
Dengue, also known as break-bone fever, is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. According to WHO, it is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. Around half of the world’s population is at risk, with an estimated 100 to 400 million infections reported annually. Most dengue infections are mild or asymptomatic, but in some cases, the illness can progress to severe dengue, which can be fatal without timely medical care.
Symptoms usually appear 4–10 days after infection and may include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, rash, and swollen glands. Severe dengue often develops after the fever subsides and can cause abdominal pain, bleeding, fatigue, and rapid breathing. Individuals infected for a second time face a higher risk of severe disease.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue. Pain relief with paracetamol is recommended, while ibuprofen and aspirin should be avoided due to the risk of bleeding. Severe cases often require hospitalisation for fluid management and monitoring. Prevention relies on controlling mosquito populations and avoiding mosquito bites, particularly during the day. Early detection and proper medical care significantly reduce dengue-related deaths.
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