Another health risk: dengue threat looms
The Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) spokesperson said on Friday that at least 769 suspected dengue cases were identified at the public and private hospitals of the province during the past 24 hours.
“These persons are undergoing tests and kept under strict surveillance,” the P&SHD spokesperson stated.
The department has confirmed at least one new dengue patient in Sialkot during the same time period who is admitted in the Gondal Medical complex Gujranwala.
A total of four patients are currently undergoing treatment for dengue in Punjab, an official source revealed.
“The other three dengue patients are admitted in DHQ Hospital Rawalpindi, Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur, and Gojra Eye-cum-General Hospital,” he added.
P&SHD spokesperson also conceded that in the past one week dengue larvae were found at 12,266 outdoor locations across Punjab.
Speaking to The Express Tribune the spokesperson underscored that 46 dengue virus cases have been recorded in the province since the beginning of the year.
“In the rainy season, the government's ill arrangement resulted in the spread of dengue mosquito larvae in the households and public spaces.
A number of sites in the various cities of the province including the provincial capital are still filled with rainwater which serve as the nurseries for the Aedes larvae,” source within in the P&SHD detailed.
“Before the start of Monsoon season, the government should have planned to counter the dengue vector which did not happen and this is the reason that its larva was found.”
He also alleged that hospitals lack proper dengue desks and counters.
As per the Dengue Expert Advisory Group (DEAG) guidelines dengue suspect, probable and confirmed cases must be registered on the PITB dashboard within 24 hours of presentation by the public and private healthcare facilities.
“The months of September and October always witness a rise in dengue cases.
Dengue ends naturally, wards stay for next year
Right now we are still struggling with the coronavirus disease and now the government is not taking the mosquito-borne viral infection seriously that had taken hundreds of lives in the past,” said a senior official of the Punjab Health Department.
“No death has been reported due to dengue fever in the province during this year,” he remarked.
Dr Haseeb Khan, who works at a local government hospital, warned that the citizens should undertake precautionary measures and if inflicted with dengue, they should avoid excessive fluid intake.
“Fever, headache and vomiting are some of the symptoms of virus infliction and in such a condition patients should immediately visit the nearest hospital for treatment.”
As opposed to the data provided by the healthcare department stating men as the majority virus victims (79%) Lahore General Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Mahmood Salahuddin said the impression is not right that dengue mostly affected males as compared to females therefore everyone should take precautions.
Citizens should take serious steps in this rainy season and cover their feet and arms, the professor stressed further.
Former MS of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore Dr Abdul Basit asked the citizens and the government to act responsibly and ensure proper drainage at places where water is excessively used including tyre shops, hotels, service stations and graveyards.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2020.