PESHAWAR: Dengue cases are rising in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the provincial tally nearing 4,000 and two deaths reported due to the disease.
A total of 3,771 dengue cases have been reported across the province, with Kohat emerging as the worst-affected district, recording 2,319 cases.
A meeting chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi was held to review the dengue situation in the province. Health Adviser Nigar Johar, the health secretary and other relevant officials attended the meeting.
Participants received a detailed briefing on the spread of dengue, the provincial anti-dengue action plan and the measures currently being implemented to contain the outbreak.
Officials informed the meeting that Kohat had recorded the highest number of dengue cases in the province, with 2,319 infections reported so far.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi directed the district administration to take emergency measures to control the spread of dengue in Kohat and keep him regularly informed about progress.
He also called for immediate action in other affected districts and directed the authorities to provide the necessary resources to district administrations on a priority basis.
During the briefing, officials identified several factors contributing to the spread of dengue, including climate change, unplanned urbanisation, poor sanitation and electricity load-shedding.
Authorities said a comprehensive action plan had been developed, outlining the responsibilities of relevant departments and district administrations. Measures are also being taken to improve dengue reporting and monitoring systems.
Officials informed the meeting that a total of 1,666 beds had been arranged in isolation wards across the province to deal with any emergency arising from the outbreak.
Public awareness campaigns are also underway to educate citizens about dengue prevention. The governor directed the Information Department to strengthen these efforts by using social media and other communication channels to reach a wider audience.
Faisal Karim Kundi stressed that public awareness was essential to controlling dengue and urged the relevant departments to coordinate their efforts to educate citizens about prevention and ways to stop the disease from spreading.
Preventive measures include avoiding stagnant water in homes and streets, keeping water containers covered and eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites.
The governor called for coordinated action by government departments and local administrations to contain the outbreak and protect public health.
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