News
Monday, August 22, 2011
Dengue outbreak on horizon as Karachi witnesses 14 cases in two weeks
* Confirmed cases of dengue virus in Sindh during running year jump to 138
Karachi: With reporting of 14 new dengue cases in Karachi during last two week, the threat of outbreak is on the horizon after recent monsoon showers. With these new cases the total number of confirmed cases of dengue virus in Sindh during the running year so far has jumped to 138, and healthcare experts have warned of a dengue epidemics in the province if urgent and solid preventative steps not taken by the concerned authorities. Incharge of Sindh Health Department’s Dengue Surveillance Cell Dr Suresh Kumar told PPI that this year so far 138 dengue viral fever cases have already been confirmed in the province; out of them cases 18 belong to Tando Muhamamd Khan, one to Hyderabad and rest 119 to Karachi. Fortunately, no dengue death has been reported so far in the province during the current year. He said after the rains, it is normal that mosquitoes breed in the pools of accumulated rainwater. However, sources said that the government has yet to set up isolation wards for dengue patients at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Civil Hospital Karachi, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Qatar Hospital Sindh government hospitals at New Karachi, Liaquatabad and other teaching hospitals. They said the dengue patients are compelled to visit costly private hospitals due to lack of proper facilities at the government hospitals. It was learnt that the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) had suspended its fumigation drive one month ago due to lack of funds. The fumigation vehicles could not be run due to no-fuel situation and also dearth of spraying chemicals. In this situation not only dengue but also other vector diseases might rise in Karachi. EDO Health Karachi Dr Nasir Javed, when contacted, said that the higher authorities have been requested to provide funds to purchase fuel and fumigation chemicals for the spray vehicles. He hoped that after the approval of funds an aggressive fumigation drive would be launched in whole city. Dr Qaiser Sajjad of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) said that the dengue fever has become a regular feature of disease burden in our country, particularly Karachi, due to failure of administration to take long-term steps. He said dengue eradication is a long-term strategy, mainly based on raising awareness about the viral diseases amongst people, as the government alone could not overcome the issue alone. He said dengue could be eradicated when we end their breeding grounds. He said in this regard it is the responsibility of municipal authorities to improve sanitary conditions and show zero tolerance against accumulated rainwater or stagnant gutter water standing on roads and streets. He said proper disposal of garbage is essential to improve cleanliness in Karachi. He said the municipal authorities must ensure that rainwater is properly drained out from roads, streets, playgrounds and open areas. He said the citizens should spray their houses to kill mosquitoes and they should ensure overhead water tanks of their houses are properly covered. Director General Health Sindh Dr Hafeezul Haq, when contacted, said he had issued directives to all teaching hospitals to set up special isolation wards for the dengue patients. He said the blood banks in the whole provinces are also directed to provide all out facilities to the dengue patients. He said dengue testing and treatment facilities would be available to all major government hospitals free of cost. Assistant Professor of How University of Health Sciences Dr Farhan Essa said initial symptoms of dengue include high fever and body pain. He said patients with these symptoms should be immediately referred to qualified doctor or nearest healthcare facility. He said every year many people die of dengue and it is important that the concerned authorities take prior preventive steps before the dengue viral fever become an epidemic in the province. ppi
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk