Dengue Cases Reach 139 in Twin Cities
Dengue cases in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have climbed to 139, with health departments struggling to control the spread of the mosquito-borne disease. Rawalpindi has reported 89 patients, while Islamabad has recorded 50.
The number of patients visiting private hospitals and clinics in the twin cities is even higher than in government hospitals. Health departments, however, have no effective way to monitor these cases apart from verbal claims, which means the true scale of the outbreak may be larger than the official count.
Dengue cases climb in Rawalpindi and Islamabad
The rise in the twin cities comes as Lahore reported 136 dengue patients of its own. In Rawalpindi, the District Health Authority confirmed 89 cases this year. Eleven patients are currently admitted to hospitals, including four confirmed cases. So far, 6,433 patients have been screened in the district, of whom 5,905 were declared suspected cases.
The figures show how far the disease has spread beyond the official tally. Private clinics see more dengue patients than public hospitals, yet the health department has no system to count them. That gap leaves health planners working with partial data at a time when cases are still rising.
Why health teams are struggling
Dengue mosquitoes and their larvae are found in far greater numbers in the bushes along the border areas where Rawalpindi and Islamabad meet. No system has been developed to clear them, because the two cities dispute who owns these areas. The standoff has left a breeding ground untouched in the middle of the twin cities.
There is some relief in the weather. With night temperatures dropping, outdoor mosquitoes and dengue larvae in ponds, bushes and graveyards have started dying naturally. The long Metro track and abandoned, run-down buildings are now the main outdoor habitats left for the mosquitoes in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Where mosquitoes still breed indoors
Inside homes, dengue mosquitoes hide in sofa sets, beds and behind window curtains, where spraying can reach them. Health workers say regular spraying inside houses remains the most effective way to cut the risk, especially as outdoor breeding sites shrink with the cold.
The pattern matches the wider picture in Punjab. Rawalpindi restored the jobs of 2,000 dengue workers in October, after the staff had been dismissed, to strengthen field teams. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, dengue cases reached 4,856 with Kohat as the hotspot, showing that the disease is a province-wide problem, not a local one. Sindh’s mpox cases crossed 100 in October, another reminder of the pressure on the public health system. Lahore hospitals reported 35,000 flu-like cases in a week, adding to the load on hospitals across Punjab.
Dengue returns to the twin cities every autumn, when the monsoon leaves standing water and the weather stays warm enough for mosquitoes to breed. Health teams run fumigation drives each year, but the disease keeps coming back as long as water collects in open containers, construction sites and the border-area bushes that neither city clears. The official count of 139 covers mainly public hospitals, and the true figure is almost certainly higher, given how many patients choose private clinics.
What residents can do
Health officials advise people to remove standing water from their homes, cover water containers, and let spray teams into their houses. Anyone with high fever, severe headache or pain behind the eyes should seek medical care early, as dengue can turn serious within days.
How many dengue cases are there in Rawalpindi and Islamabad?
The combined count in the twin cities has reached 139. Rawalpindi has reported 89 patients and Islamabad 50, while Lahore has recorded 136 cases.
Why are dengue cases higher in private hospitals?
More patients visit private hospitals and clinics than government hospitals, but health departments have no system to monitor private cases apart from verbal claims, so the official count covers mainly public hospitals.
Where do dengue mosquitoes breed in the twin cities?
Mosquitoes and larvae are found in large numbers in bushes along the border areas where Rawalpindi and Islamabad meet, and in ponds, bushes and graveyards. Indoors, they hide in sofa sets, beds and behind window curtains.
When does the dengue season end?
Outdoor mosquitoes and larvae have started dying naturally as night temperatures drop. Spraying inside homes remains important until the cold sets in fully.
