ISLAMABAD: With the onset of chilly conditions, dengue is on the decline as only 43 cases were reported in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Saturday.

District Health Officer Islamabad Dr Zaeem Zia said that out of the total 23 cases 12 were reported from urban areas and 11 from rural areas during the last 24 hours.

He said three of them were under treatment in Holy Family Hospital, followed by two in Benazir Bhutto Hospital and one in Polyclinic. The remaining 17 are in private hospitals.

Dr Zia said 11 cases were reported from rural areas, including, four from Tarlai, three from Koral and two each from Sohan and Bhara Kahu.

During the last 24 hours, indoor residual spray was carried out in 445 houses and 52 fogging activities were conducted in different areas of capital, he said, adding that separate teams of district health office eliminated 623 potential breeding sites of larva in different union councils.

Meanwhile, according to Punjab government’s data, 20 more dengue patients landed in Rawalpindi hospitals on Saturday.

As many as 10 were brought to Holy Family Hospital, five patients each to Benazir Bhutto Hospital and District Headquarters Hospital.

An official said out of the 20 new patients, five are in critical condition. However, at present, 75 patients are under treatment in the three hospitals.

“A total of 38 patients recovered in the garrison city during the last 24 hours,” he added.