Peshawar: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah has directed health
authorities to intensify anti–dengue activities with the onset of the monsoon season. The
move comes as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the disease.
According to a press release issued by the health department, the minister chaired an antidengue review meeting on Monday at the health secretariat. The meeting was attended by
top health officials, representatives of the district administration, UNICEF, WHO, and the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the anti-dengue measures taken so far and
ordered the distribution of mosquito nets in affected areas and targeted campaigns in
hotspots to prevent future outbreaks. Public Health Director Dr. Irshad Roghani presented
an overview of the current dengue situation, highlighting that only 69 cases have been
reported in 2024, with just five active cases under home quarantine.
The health department has taken various measures to prevent the spread of dengue,
including awareness walks, awareness sessions, and entomological surveillance. Over
1,700 awareness walks and more than 92,000 awareness sessions have been conducted,
educating millions about dengue prevention. Continuous surveillance of anti-dengue
activities is ongoing, with 1.5 million homes checked so far, resulting in the elimination of
dengue larvae in over 500 homes.
The department has also eradicated over 4,000 dengue breeding sites inside homes and
640 positive larvae sites identified during external surveillance. The minister appreciated
the efforts of the health teams and directed them to further intensify their efforts to prevent
the spread of dengue.
Meanwhile, Punjab has reported 133 cases of dengue, while Balochistan has reported a
staggering 6,000 cases. Analysis over the past three years indicates that the dengue
season begins in August, with the highest number of cases in September. This year, only 17
cases have been reported from Peshawar Division, and 21 cases from Malakand Division.
The health minister has urged the public to take precautions against dengue and cooperate
with health authorities to prevent the spread of the disease.