Dengue claims two more lives in Rawalpindi, death toll rises to 38

Parks, hotels told to drain ponds, fountains, swimming pools

RAWALPINDI: The death toll from the dengue virus has escalated to 38 after two more patients died in different hospitals of the garrison city on Sunday.

The 12-year-old resident of Misaryal Road, Sajid, lost his life in Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) whereas 50-year-old Shabbir hailing from Siddiqui Chowk died under treatment in Holy Family Hospital (HFH).

In a bid to reduce the severity of the deadly virus, the administration has ordered all public parks, hotels as well as houses to drain out water from ponds and swimming pools. Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, Mayaro and yellow fever viruses, and other disease agents, thrives in clean water.

Although cooler temperatures mark an end of dengue season, the influx of patients in different public and private hospitals is not ceasing.

On Sunday, 174 more patients were brought to different hospitals. The highest number of patients was reported from Potohar Town followed by Rawal Town and Cantonment Boards while more than 25,00 patients have been discharged successfully from the hospitals until now.

Regarding the ongoing anti-dengue campaign, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Saifullah Dogar told The Express Tribune that the danger of deadly virus was still prevailing. However, he expressed that they had falsified claims that daily patient count would soar to 1,000 patients a day by October which was ruled out due to their rigorous efforts and cooperation of public and media.

He added that daily patient count at present was between 150 to 200 patients daily which would decrease gradually.

Dogar said that anti-virus measures had been expedited along with strict monitoring and added that they were still emphasising the citizens to take maximum precautionary measures. He hoped that the virus will drive towards elimination in the upcoming days.

Polyclinic treats 2,496 dengue patients

Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC) hospital has provided free medical treatment to 2,496 confirmed dengue patients so far in prevailing high-risk disease season.

According to spokesman FGPC Dr Sharif Astori, 129 patients are still admitted in the hospital and receiving medical treatment out of which six are in serious conditions.

He said that so far five dengue patients have lost their lives from the disease at the hospital.

He said that the number of dengue suspected patients is high as around 500 suspected dengue patients visited the hospital daily with disease-like symptoms.

The spokesman said that a backup dengue ward was also established at FGPC's Mother and Child health care (MCH) Centre Aabpara to share a load of patients at FGPC main hospital with having a team of four doctors, 12 nurses and 16 paramedical staff.

He said medical team remained on duties round the clock in this well-equipped ward having all the facilities of relevant tests for dengue.

He said that there is 24-hour Dengue Outpatient Department (OPD) at MCH centre to receive the patients and give medical consultation.

Dr Astori said that Initial treatment is provided at the centre while serious patients are shifted to the main hospital, he added.

He said the centre has a sufficient number of dengue medicines and testing kits to ensure that incoming dengue patients get all facilities under one roof.

(with additional input by APP)

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2019.