
With another patient losing his life at the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) on Friday, dengue continues to haunt residents of the twin cities.
Around 70 suspected dengue patients were reported at the Allied Hospitals on Friday according to the District Health Department.
“19 out of the 65 patients reported at HFH were tested positive,” said Arshad Ali Sabir, HFH Medical Superintendant. The remaining five cases were reported at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Hospital.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) also received six dengue patients in the last 48 hours.
Sabir informed that the dengue mosquito could not survive in the cold and the upcoming cold weather will bring down the number of cases.
“The recent outbreak of dengue in Rawalpindi is due to the negligence of city officials who failed to take timely preventive measures,” said Dr Saleem Rana, a vector control expert, who added that Pakistan lacked trends that encourage detailed research on the causes and complications of diseases and authorities here relied only on orthodox techniques like sprays against which mosquitoes could develop immunity and evolve.
Despite a drop in the mercury level, dengue mosquitoes find an ideal temperature to breed in the day, said Rana. When contacted, District Health Officer Dr Khalid Randhawa said health officials at emergency response points throughout the city were monitoring anti-dengue efforts.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2013.
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