ISLAMABAD: Islamabad recorded the highest single-day rise in dengue fever cases this month and at least one death on Friday, local media reported, quoting the district health officer.
Dengue is a threat to nearly half of the world’s population. Of the estimated 220 million people infected each year, two million, mostly children in Latin America and Asia, develop its severe form called dengue hemorrhagic fever.
There is no specific treatment for the disease, though its early detection can help in treatment.
The deceased patient was a resident of Islamabad’s G-7 sector and had been under treatment at Islamabad’s Polyclinic hospital, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Zaeem Zia told Dawn newspaper.
“In the last 24 hours, 174 cases were reported in the city,” the report quoted Zia as saying. “It was the highest number of cases since Oct 15, when 152 cases had emerged.”
The official said 110 cases in Islamabad were reported in rural and 64 in urban areas.
Of them, 47 patients were admitted in the Federal General Hospital, 25 in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), 20 in Holy Family Hospital (HFH), three each in Polyclinic and Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), two in Capital Hospital and one in District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, according to Zia. The remaining were admitted in private hospitals.
Breaking the number of cases by area, the official said 39 dengue cases were reported in Tarlai, 22 in Koral, 20 in Alipur, 11 in Tarnol, five in Sohan, four in Chirrah, three in Sihala, two each in Bhara Kahu and Rawat, and one each in Jhangi Syedan and Kirpa.
The death toll from dengue fever in the current season had reached 10, seven in rural areas and three in urban areas, according to the report.
Islamabad has so far reported 2,603 dengue cases — 1,589 in rural and 1,014 in urban areas.
Dr. Zia said in the last 24 hours, 345 indoor residual spray and 474 fogging activities were conducted in different areas to prevent the spread of the fever and eliminate potential breeding sites of dengue mosquito larva. Special teams also found and eliminated 596 potential breeding sites, he added.
Islamabad records highest single-day rise in dengue cases this month
https://arab.news/2h5z5
Islamabad records highest single-day rise in dengue cases this month
- At least one man died of the disease in the federal capital on Friday
- Of total 174 cases in the capital, 110 were reported in rural and 64 in urban areas
Pakistan IT minister in Kuwait to attend digital cooperation body meeting on AI risks
- Shaza Fatima Khawaja to attend event themed ‘Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI’
- Pakistan approved National AI Policy last year, launched first locally hosted AI cloud
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Information Technology (IT) Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Wednesday arrived in Kuwait on a two-day visit to hold discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) and its risks at the fifth Digital Cooperation Organization General Assembly (DCOGA), her office said.
The annual gathering brings together representatives of various states and international organizations to discuss the digital economy and the challenges associated with its growth. This year’s theme is “Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI.”
Pakistan has been actively developing its AI landscape, marked by the approval of the National AI Policy in July last year and the subsequent launch of its first locally hosted AI cloud in a bid to integrate AI for economic growth.
“The federal minister will participate in the General Assembly of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and hold meetings with representatives of member states,” the IT ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Discussions will be held on artificial intelligence and its risks, with meetings scheduled with global policymakers.”
Khawaja will hold high-level meetings with global leaders at the event and participate in the DCO thematic ministerial roundtable comprising ministers from various countries, it added.
The development comes as Pakistan seeks to position itself as a credible participant in the global AI economy to harness AI for productivity, skills development and innovation while managing regulatory risks.
Pakistan has mainly been engaging with Gulf countries on AI. In October last year, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Saudi Arabia has offered free training in IT and AI for Pakistani youth. Last November, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates agreed to deepen cooperation in AI, digital governance and data innovation.
Pakistan is also hosting a week-long national AI initiative, “AI Indus Week 2026,” from Feb. 9-15 to promote the responsible use of technology and accelerate the adoption of AI across the public and private sectors.
