Dengue fever: Citizens urged to keep their surroundings clean

30 patients reported over three days with suspect symptoms

LAHORE: At least 30 patients suspected of having dengue fever have been brought to various city hospitals over the last three days. The city administration has warned against a potential outbreak of the disease. Mayo Hospital’s Dr Khuda Bux said 15 people believed to be suffering from the fever had been brought to the hospital, mostly from Shahdara and adjoining areas. He said three of them were discharged after blood test results were found negative. He said reports of the remaining patients were expected by Monday.

Azeem Ahmed, a doctor on emergency duty at Services Hospital, said that of the 25 patients brought to the hospital with suspect symptoms, blood test reports of 15 had been negative. Jinnah Hospital’s Dr Rana Irshad said eight such patients had been admitted to the hospital’s dengue fever ward.

DCO Muhammad Usman has ordered that the anti-dengue campaign be expedited. “Our indoor and outdoor [surveillance] teams have been educating citizens about the fever,” the DCO said in a statement on Saturday. He urged citizens to keep their surroundings clean and remove stagnant water.

Usman said the next two months were crucial with regard to dengue fever spread.

Dengue Control Additional Director General Fayyaz Butt said the government was taking strict action against those not keeping their premises clean despite being issued several warnings. University of Health Sciences Human Genetics Department’s Prof Aslamkhan said citizens could help control the situation by keeping the environment clean. He said fever, abdominal pain, severe headache, aching body, including pain in joints, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes were among dengue fever symptoms. He stressed the need for eradicating dengue mosquito breeding sites.

“There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. Adequate fluid intake and bed rest help the patients recover from the disease.” He said used tyre shops, flower pots, water containers and toilet bowls were the major breeding sites for dengue mosquito larvae. Dengue carrier mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafiq said that keeping in view the previous year’s experience in Rawalpindi, there was need for working with more dedication to check the dengue fever. He directed that local cable networks be used to spread awareness about the virus.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2016.