Be careful: Dengue fever outbreak feared

Health experts call for early draining of rainwater.

LAHORE:

The recent rains have increased the chances of dengue fever outbreak as the standing water serves as a breeding site for dengue larvae, health experts have warned.

Hospitals have been directed to remain alert and High Dependency Units set up to treat dengue fever patients, it has been learnt.

“Doctors having expertise in dengue fever have been asked to follow a standard operating procedure (SOP) to treat patients,” Professor of Epidemiology at Institute of Public Health (IPH) Farkhanda Kokab told The Express Tribune.

She stressed the need for removing rainwater early.

“Eggs of dengue mosquitoes are hatched in 10 days. It takes another 10 days for mosquitoes to carry the virus and transmit it to human beings. Dengue fever can breakout by the end of September or start of October if streets are not cleared of rainwater.”

The professor said high-risk districts included Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Multan, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur and Faisalabad.

“Indoor surveillance is important during the rainy season. Health authorities can only take care of outside cleanliness,” she said.

She said people should not let water accumulate at junkyards and courtyards. “This month is crucial for the fever outbreak. People need to remain vigilant,” she said.

An official from the Dengue Control Programme said they were focusing on preventive measures.

“We are trying to ensure that larvaeciding is done to such an extent that dengue mosquitoes don’t carry the virus to people,” he said.

Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique said 13 dengue fever patients had been reported in the province this year. These include five cases in Lahore.

He said indoor spray was being carried out in areas where dengue fever cases had been reported.

He said a limited number of adult dengue mosquitoes had been reported and the Technical Advisory Committee had therefore not recommended fogging. He said an excessive use of chemical was injurious to human health.

He said a ‘cleanliness day’ would be observed on Sunday (today) to educate people about dengue fever.

Leaves cancelled

Separately, Post Graduate Medical Institute and Lahore General Hospital Principal Anjum Habib Vohra has cancelled leaves of staff until October 31.

He said four additional medical superintendents had been tasked with provision of health services to dengue fever patients.

They are Rana Muhammad Shafiq, Khalid Mahmood, Qaiser Perveen and Tariq Sultan Butt.

Vohra said no worker would be allowed to leave his duty before handing over charge to the next shift.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2014.