Dengue spike strains Multan hospitals

Caseload mounts amid diagnostic delays

MULTAN:

Dengue infections are on the rise across Multan district, straining hospital wards and prompting an intensified anti-larva campaign as authorities race to contain the mosquito-borne disease.

Local hospitals have reported a sharp rise in dengue patients' admissions over the past week, while district health authority teams say they have identified and cleared thousands of mosquito breeding sites.

Nishtar Hospital, the region's largest tertiary care facility, reported that 12 patients had tested positive for dengue and 29 were probable cases whose lab results were pending, with 41 beds occupied out of the total 70 allocated so far.

Member of National Assembly (MNA) from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Ali Kasim Gilani stated on his 'X' account on Tuesday that as many as 30 cases of dengue have been reported in his constituency in a day and he had written to Multan Deputy Commissioner Wasim Hamid Sandhu to take precautionary measures to safeguard people from the disease.

Private hospitals and clinics in the district are also witnessing probable dengue patients.

District health officials told the participants of a meeting that 92 confirmed dengue cases have been recorded in Multan so far this year. Anti-dengue teams have exterminated larvae at 3,989 locations and identified 2,195 breeding hotspots across the district. At least 352 field teams are engaged in indoor and outdoor surveillance and eradication of larva. Special Secretary for Health and Population Muhammad Shahbaz Hussain said anti-dengue measures were being been scaled up to achieve "100 per cent coverage" of identified sites.

Officials at Government Shehbaz Sharif Hospital said a dedicated dengue counter has been activated to triage suspected cases and fast-track basic testing and care, while public notices urge residents to follow dengue prevention Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The district headquarters (DHQ) hospital administration has also been coordinating with the Nishtar Hospital and government clinics to distribute patient load. Clinicians warn that diagnostic delays are worsening the pressure on wards.

Medical staff at Nishtar Hospital and other facilities say samples are sometimes routed through central laboratories even though 'point-of-care' machines are available, causing delay in results, platelet monitoring and treatment for suspected cases.

Local authorities have also taken legal action against businesses failing to curb dengue proliferation. First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered after dengue larvae were found at three restaurants and two factories, while more than 120 notices have been issued to entities failing to implement preventive measures.

Public health teams warned residents to drain standing water, cover tanks, and report suspected larva sites – measures authorities say are essential to prevent an outbreak. Health authorities said they were monitoring the situation closely and urged city residents to cooperate with teams conducting indoor and outdoor surveillance. With the season favouring mosquito breeding, officials warned that continued vigilance is critical to stopping the disease spread from escalating.