Only community awareness can help overcome dengue outbreak

Local government representatives blame govt for poor quality fumigation

PESHAWAR: Community awareness about dengue virus is essential to control the spread of the disease as 70 per cent of the job [to protect themselves as a neighborhood] needs to be performed by the community itself.

These observations were made by the officials involved in the Dengue Control Programme

Some 240 cases have so far been confirmed by initial testing which further needs to be probed however with fresh cases being reported, officials claim the department has been doing all it can in requesting the community to also play their due role.



Officials informed that the area where maximum number of cases have been reported from comprises shops with different businesses adding a large number of people run businesses like dealing in tyres, furniture which provides a safe shelter for mosquitoes carrying the virus to breed

“Tehkal area is densly inhabited by people engaged in the tyre business and a tyre is an ideal breeding ground for the virus,” Peshawar’s Deputy Commissioner Saqib Raza Aslam told The Express Tribune adding that officials have been doing their part but community involvement is absolutely necessary to overcome the problem.

He stated that some 240 cases have been confirmed by the health department officials with over 98% in Tehkal alone adding system for the drainage [fresh water] needed to be improved.

Health department’s public health section has been busy carrying out fumigation twice a day besides holding awareness sessions so that others could be protected however they reiterated only community involvement can overcome the issue. “This is an outbreak without any doubt and we have been successfully responding immediately to the case besides distributing bad nets,” he informed adding ‘but I assure you the community needs to play 70 per cent of the total task.’

Moreover, local government representatives lead a protest demonstration in Tehkal area of the provincial capital. The protesters took to streets and held a demonstration against the provincial government for failing to overcome dengue virus in the area.

Local government representatives alleged the government for poor quality fumigation adding dengue cases were increasing with each passing day but since the problem could not be resolved, it suggested quality of the material used to kill Dengue virus raised questions.

University road was blocked causing immense traffic problems where at the same time people had to use different routes while travelling to and from Hayatabad as well as Karkhano market. Some four persons are said to have become victim of the virus however officially, one person is said to have died.



Warning against self-medication

Khyber -Pakhtunkhwa Deputy Director Health Dr. Tanveer Inam has urged the masses to avoid self-medication in case of dengue virus as it could lead to further complications.

Expressing himself on radio programme about dengue, held at Pakhtunkhwa Radio Peshawar on Tuesday Dr Inam said all the government health facilities across the province were fully equipped to treat dengue patients therefore in case of any symptoms of dengue virus the suspect should immediately be rushed to the nearest health facility.

“In case of body pain, high fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and rashes, the patients should be taken to the nearest health unit and patients should be given any medicines except paracetamol and panadol.” he advised.

Dr Inam added that patients with dengue virus get dehydrated and therefore need more and more fluid intake. He went on saying that government was proactively engaged to create mass awareness about dengue and people were being informed through different means. He said Lady Health workers had been assigned to visit door to door and distribute pamphlets containing information regarding dengue.

“Provincial Health department is in close contact with District Administration, line departments, public representatives and clergy to sensitise masses in their respective areas.” he claimed.

Dr. Tanveer also informed that education department high ups had been asked to keep students informed as schools and colleges have opened after summer vacations. He said that media has always played a significant role in creating awareness and need to play its role regarding dengue as well.

Responding to a question he said every mosquito is not dengue adding that dengue mosquito happens to be black whereas the white strips on its body make it distinguishes from other mosquitos.

About precautionary measures, he said all water pots should be properly covered, people should be properly dressed up covering their bodies from toe to head and all the doors and windows be duly protected through nets.

He informed that spray and fumigation was in progress in the target areas and patients were being treated in isolated wards whereas patients were also being provided with bed nets for home use.

“Instead of being scarred of the dengue, people should take appropriate preventive measures to avoid any health issue” he remarked.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2017.