Dengue in Rawalpindi and Islamabad: 109 cases as the 2026 tally climbs

Dengue cases in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have reached 109, with Rawalpindi reporting 67 cases and Islamabad 42, The Express Tribune reported on 24 October 2026.

In Rawalpindi, the District Health Authority reported 73 confirmed cases for the year by 25 October, up from 70 confirmed as of the evening of 23 October, according to the District Health Authority and Dawn. Thirty-seven of Rawalpindi's confirmed cases came in October alone. Seven confirmed patients remained admitted to hospitals in the district, and no dengue deaths have been recorded in Rawalpindi district this year.

Hospitals in Rawalpindi have screened 6,077 patients so far this year, identifying 5,591 suspected cases. In Islamabad, the health department has carried out more than 382,000 indoor and outdoor surveillance activities, and officials say the capital's case count this year is at a record low after its anti-dengue campaign started earlier than Rawalpindi's.

The enforcement drive in Rawalpindi has been large: 1,400 dengue teams are working in the city, larvae were found at 235,982 locations inspected this year, 686 properties were sealed, 2,800 FIRs were registered, and 2,331 challans were issued, with fines totalling Rs3,156,000. Eleven dengue workers were suspended for negligence.

Nationally, the picture is incomplete. The National Institute of Health's Week 39 bulletin counted 1,397 suspected dengue cases across Pakistan — more than double the week before — but Punjab does not send its figures to that bulletin, so Rawalpindi's cases are not in the national number. “Suspected” cases are not confirmed cases: only laboratory testing confirms dengue.

What this means for readers (general information)

Dengue spreads through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which breeds in standing water. Health departments ask residents to remove standing water from rooftops, water tanks, coolers, flower pots and other containers, and to cooperate with surveillance teams. Anyone with high fever and severe body aches should seek medical care promptly rather than waiting at home.

Verification note (29 October 2026): the figures above were re-checked on the day of publication. No newer district tally superseding the 24–25 October reports was found, and no Week 40 national figure was mixed in.

General information only, not medical advice.