Over 130 more dengue cases surface in twin cities

Experts predict decline in cases of vector-borne disease with temperature fall

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI:

The dengue mosquito virus cases continue to surface in Islamabad and Rawalpindi despite a dip in temperatures.

At least 74 more dengue virus cases were reported in Islamabad on Sunday, taking the total number of cases in the federal capital to 4,346 with nine deaths so far this season.

According to Islamabad District Health Officer Zaeem Zia, 45 new cases were reported in rural areas of Islamabad and 29 in rural areas.

He said that 33 new dengue patients have been admitted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital and 28 to private laboratories.

Meanwhile, 54 new dengue virus cases were reported in Rawalpindi during the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 4,019 in the district with four deaths so far this season.

According to health officials, the number of dengue patients under treatment in three hospitals in the city has reached 183 including 54 dengue patients from Islamabad. Of the total admitted patients, 111 have been confirmed dengue positive.

The health officials said that 70 patients are admitted to the Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, 51 to the Holy Family Hospital and 62 patients to the District Headquarters Hospital.

Chief Executive District Health Authority Dr Ansar Ishaq said that the severity of the dengue virus attacks has subsided with the decrease in temperatures. He said that dengue mosquitoes will disappear when the temperature falls below 14 degrees Celsius

According to the World Health Organisation, a total of 25,932 confirmed dengue cases and 62 deaths were reported in Pakistan between 1 January and 27 September 2022, with 74 per cent of these cases reported in the month of September alone.

According to the DHO, the current surge in cases follows unprecedented flooding that began in mid-June 2022. With the current flood crisis affecting the national health system capacity and the growing humanitarian situation, there is a high risk of serious health impacts from dengue fever and other concurrent disease outbreaks. High population movement between Pakistan and bordering countries in particular Afghanistan and Iran means that the international transmission of dengue fever cannot be ruled out, the WHO said.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board Executive Officer Board (RCB) Imran Gulzar has said that the anti-dengue campaign in Cantonment areas was in full swing and all available resources were being utilised to eradicate it completely.

He said that dengue larvae had been found in houses where water remains choked like in water tanks, used and old tyres, and uncovered utensils and accumulated rainwater.

He said that the RCB management was utilising all its resources to eradicate the dengue larvae by clearing stagnant water, nullahs besides carrying out spray and surveillance.

According to RCB spokesman, the authorities concerned had been directed to accelerate the ongoing anti-dengue. He said that 105 FIRs have been registered against violators during this season.

Dengue patient dies in Haripur

Meanwhile, a dengue virus-infected patient died in Kot Najibullah Mohalla Kasran in Haripur on Sunday.

According to sources, 37-year-old Muhammad Wasim, a resident of Haripur Kot Najibullah Mohalla could not survive after suffering from the virus. The victim was later laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2022.