Epidemic scale: After Swat, dengue virus infects Mansehra

King Abdullah Teaching Hospital confirms 8 patients while 10 being tested

MINGORA/ MANSEHRA:

At least, eight people have tested positive for dengue in various districts of Mansehra in the last eight months and 10 more are suspected to have been infected, official sources said on Thursday. The incidence of dengue in Mansehra has been lower in comparison to Swat, where by and large, an epidemic remains in full swing.

Two new cases were reported from Swat on Thursday, increasing the total number of reported dengue cases to 143.

According to Roshan Ali, the focal person for Saidu Teaching Hospital’s dengue unit, two new patients have been admitted. The first patient is 45-year-old Fatima from Saidabad Dhakorak. Ahmad Khan, a 19-year-old from Sethi Mills Mohallah has also tested positive.

New breeding ground?

Even with the lower incidence rate, the increase in cases from Mansehra has raised alarm about the prevalence of the virus. Between January and the first week of September, KATH, the only tertiary care health facility in the public sector in the district, registered 25 suspected cases of dengue from across Mansehra.

According to sources, two of the positive cases have been referred to Ayub Medical Complex Abbottabad for further treatment while one patient is still admitted at the dengue isolation ward of King Abdullah Teaching Hospital (KATH) Mansehra. Five patients who tested positive recovered and were discharged from KATH.

After initial pathological investigations, all blood samples were sent to National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad for verification.

Seven people tested negative for the disease while the results of other 10 patients have yet to be released, said those familiar with the matter. Last year, over 200 suspected cases of dengue were reported in Mansehra. Approximately 50% of these patients then tested positive for dengue, said inside sources.

Crisis management

The medical superintendent at KATH, Dr Naeem Awan, confirmed the cases. He added 44 union councils have been marked as high-risk areas based on information obtained last year.

He said early detection and a good response to larvicidal and fog spray have reduced the number of reported dengue cases to 25 in the last eight months as compared to last year.

According to Awan, a comprehensive plan has been designed to combat dengue. An awareness campaign has been started whereby staff can be adequately trained to address the epidemic.

Furthermore, a dengue isolation ward has also been established. Dr Awan urged the general public to cover water containers, dispose of garbage and frequently use mosquito repellent coils.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2014.