Changing season: Warm weather breeding virus

Patients visiting hospitals complain of headaches, joint paint, skin rashes, loss of appetite

LAHORE: With the onset of warmer weather, thousands of patients visited hospitals across the province with symptoms of dengue fever, complaining of headaches, joint paint, skin rashes and a loss of appetite on Sunday.

Dengue Control Program Additional Director General Dr Shahnaz confirmed the current situation in the province. She said that the government had started taking disciplinary action against hospitals which were not providing updates on suspected dengue patients to the health department.

As a precautionary measure, the health department asked citizens to drain stagnant water around their residences and workplaces.

Furthermore, the health department stated in a press release that certain districts, including Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi and Sheikhupura were underreporting dengue larvae.

“Dengue larvae can be found in empty water bottles, decoration pieces, kitchen cabinets and car tyres,” said University of Health Sciences Genetics and Molecular Biology Department Prof Aslam Khan.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, he stated that if one thinks they are out of danger by only cleaning their surroundings and draining away stagnant water, they are wrong. “This is because even flowerpots and tree trunks are hotspots for dengue larvae,” he said.

“Those who face dengue symptoms must seek treatment immediately,” Aslam advised. “There is no specific treatment for dengue,” he added.

Meanwhile, Punjab Minister for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique has directed officials to accelerate dengue surveillance activities and bridge the gaps in micro-planning.

He added that Town Emergency Response Committees meetings should be made effective and officers of all departments should ensure their attendance.

Rafique also expressed displeasure over the underreporting districts and directed them to improve their performance. In this regard, he also gave orders to the Dengue Expert Advisory Group to provide technical guidance to such hospitals and aid them in removing the gaps in reporting.

Common symptoms of dengue fever include severe headaches, joint paint, skin rashes and a loss of appetite. Health practitioners advise that a person seek immediate medical treatment if they suffer from any of these symptoms. Dengue fever has not specific course of treatment. However, adequate fluid intake and bed rest is important.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2018.