Dengue cases rise to 478 in K-P

. 24 dengue cases have already been reported across Rawalpindi during monsoon rains.PHOTO:PIXABAY As many as 478 people have tested positive for dengue virus in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa this year, while 2,697 suspected cases have been reported from government hospitals across the province, according to a report issued by the Health Department. The report of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System (IDSR) said 620 new suspected dengue cases were detected across the province during the past week alone. Of these, 83 were confirmed positive for the dengue virus. No death from dengue has been reported in K-P so far this year, the report said. Peshawar recorded the highest number of confirmed dengue cases, with 177 patients testing positive. Kohat followed with 151 cases, while 31 cases were reported in Bannu, 21 in Haripur and 10 in Swat. Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur and Nowshera each reported eight confirmed cases. Among other districts, two cases each were reported in Khyber, Lakki Marwat, Lower Dir and North Waziristan, while Orakzai reported the lowest number, with one confirmed case. The Health Department said extensive surveillance activities were being carried out to prevent the spread of dengue by controlling mosquito breeding sites. More than 246,000 houses were inspected across the province for dengue larvae. During these inspections, dengue larvae were found at 600 locations, which tested positive. In addition, more than 22,000 outdoor sites were checked for mosquito breeding, with 304 sites declared positive for dengue larvae. According to the report, technical measures were taken to eliminate dengue larvae in 12 districts of the province as part of ongoing vector-control activities. The Health Department, however, identified the non-receipt of dengue-related data from major Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) hospitals as a continuing challenge. Officials said the absence of complete data from these major healthcare facilities could affect the overall assessment of the dengue situation in the province.