Peshawar dengue cases surge

39 test positive as emergency wards overwhelmed

PESHAWAR:

With the change in weather, more than 100 suspected dengue patients were received at the emergency wards of hospitals In Peshawar, with as many as 39 testing positive over the last 24 hours.

Health officials confirmed to The Express Tribune that over 100 patients reached the emergency department of Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) in 24 hours. Their blood samples were collected and sent for screening. Of the total, a staggering 39 tested positive for dengue.

"Around 28 patients are currently receiving treatment at home, while two have been hospitalised," the officials said. Just a day ago, 11 patients were received by the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH).

To tackle the situation, the health department has dispatched special teams to various suburban areas of Peshawar where dengue cases have been reported. On the instructions of Health Advisor Ehtesham Ali, a spray campaign has been initiated in five districts, namely Peshawar, Abbottabad, Bannu, Swabi, and Nowshera.

Fogging and fumigation activities have begun in union councils identified as hotspots. The health advisor has directed dengue control teams to immediately visit the affected areas, conduct fumigation, and distribute mosquito nets.

These activities are underway in Tehkal, the old walled city, Nasir Bagh Road, Hayatabad, and other affected areas.

IRS spray is also being used to eliminate dengue mosquitoes inside homes, while larva elimination activities have been intensified inside residences. In addition, public awareness campaigns have been launched at the union council level to educate people about dengue prevention.

The health advisor has directed line departments to implement the Dengue Action Plan 2024 effectively. The general public has been advised to report any dengue-related complaints on the health department's social media or the advisor's official page(s). It was emphasised that no negligence will be tolerated when it comes to controlling the virus.

Around 130 cases of dengue have been reported in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa this year. Provincial Health Secretary Adeel Shah has announced that due to the effective dengue control measures implemented by the health department and the cooperation of the general public, a limited number of dengue cases have been reported in the province.

Only 11 cases remain active, while 119 patients have fully recovered, he said last week. However, the latest surge in the number of patients indicates that authorities may have their hands full in the coming days.

Shah noted that the sudden increase in dengue cases in certain districts is due to the recent rains, which were influenced by climatic changes.

He urged the public to strictly follow preventive measures. "We must actively work to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes until the end of the dengue season," he said. The health department has been ordered to adopt an active and systematic approach at all levels to prevent the spread of dengue.