The Islamabad district administration has significantly escalated its efforts to contain the spread of the dengue virus through enhanced surveillance, daily field operations, and improved coordination with health authorities. These measures were the focus of a high-level meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, where officials assessed the current situation and formulated new strategies for prevention and control. The meeting brought together senior health department representatives and district officers to review reported cases and ongoing anti-dengue activities.
A key component of the strategy is strict enforcement against violations. Officials were briefed that several sites have already been sealed, fines imposed, and arrests made during inspections targeting mosquito breeding grounds. The administration decided that daily inspections will continue, with strict penalties and sealing of premises for any failure to comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs). Special attention will be paid to the Islamabad-Rawalpindi border, where increased surveillance and coordinated checks are deemed essential to prevent the virus’s movement between the twin cities.
Beyond enforcement, the campaign is leveraging community engagement, particularly through educational institutions. Schools and colleges are involved in awareness campaigns where students are trained on practical steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites and to identify and eliminate potential breeding spots at home. This initiative aims to create a wider network of community-level awareness, recognizing the vital role young people can play in promoting preventive practices within their families.
Specialized teams are already active across Islamabad’s residential and commercial areas, focusing on detecting and immediately removing larva breeding sources in open plots, under-construction buildings, and stagnant water points. The meeting concluded with a firm emphasis that strict compliance with dengue SOPs is central to the campaign’s success, mandating that all institutions, including markets and businesses, ensure cleanliness and adopt all necessary preventive measures to curb the outbreak.
