Ahead of season: 22 dengue cases reported in one week in Karachi
Authorities fear more cases during dengue season in August
A worker sprays anti-dengue fumigation in Karachi. A total of 22 cases of dengue have been reported across the city in the past week. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
A total of 22 patients suffering from dengue have been reported from various parts of the city in the past week, bringing the total number of reported cases in Karachi to 204 since January.
The provincial Dengue Prevention and Control Programme (DPCP) revealed the stats on Monday. According to the data, 11 of these patients have been admitted in various hospitals in the last week, including one from Umerkot, which brought the provincial total to 205. Moreover, 12 patients were diagnosed but weren't hospitalised.
"This is not dengue season," pointed out Dr Shakeel Aamir Mullick, the DPCP programme manager. "We may have more patients in August," he feared.
Dr Mullick told The Express Tribune that officials with the help of the Karachi commissioner have started spraying anti-dengue fumigation in different areas. It is a good time for anti-dengue prevention and control activities, he said, adding that action must be taken before the monsoon season starts.
All public- and private-sector hospitals are on board and have been instructed to share dengue-related information immediately, he said, assuring they have complete coordination with private hospitals. He also disclosed there is no proper association with hospitals in rest of the province.
"We have to take prompt action and have to identify the source of the growth of dengue mosquitoes," said Dr Qaisar Sajjad, the finance secretary of the central Pakistan Medical Association. "The issue is not being taken seriously," he said.
"Have they [DPCP officials] identified areas where dengue patients are being reported?" he questioned. "There is no treatment. There is no vaccination of dengue fever. Only prevention can save a person. Only awareness can help us to get rid of the issue."
Stressing on the fact that dengue is dangerous, Dr Sajjad pointed out that the virus claimed 52 lives in 2005, including 50 from Karachi. He said that it was awareness by different organisation that reduced more deaths. "Our attitude was the same with malaria and now we can't control it completely," he said, saying prompt and proper measures can completely wipe out dengue mosquitoes.
Dr Mullick agreed with Dr Sajjad that public awareness can make a difference. He urged that people should be careful around piles of garbage and uncovered water. "We can control it easily if citizens cooperate with us and act upon our advices," he urged.
According to Dr Sajjad, people should immediately consult a doctor in case of a fever. The patient should not take medicine without the doctor's advice, adding that excessive use of water and proper rest is advisable for someone suffering from dengue fever.
The commissioner's office said they have met representatives of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the district municipal corporations (DMC) and the cantonment boards to discuss the anti-dengue campaign. We have told them to start the fumigation drive immediately, said commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui.
"All cantonment areas have already started the fumigation," he said. "The drive must start from today (Tuesday) in all KMC and DMC areas." Siddiqui accepted that April was not dengue season but felt that all preventive measures must be taken.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2015.
A total of 22 patients suffering from dengue have been reported from various parts of the city in the past week, bringing the total number of reported cases in Karachi to 204 since January.
The provincial Dengue Prevention and Control Programme (DPCP) revealed the stats on Monday. According to the data, 11 of these patients have been admitted in various hospitals in the last week, including one from Umerkot, which brought the provincial total to 205. Moreover, 12 patients were diagnosed but weren't hospitalised.
"This is not dengue season," pointed out Dr Shakeel Aamir Mullick, the DPCP programme manager. "We may have more patients in August," he feared.
Dr Mullick told The Express Tribune that officials with the help of the Karachi commissioner have started spraying anti-dengue fumigation in different areas. It is a good time for anti-dengue prevention and control activities, he said, adding that action must be taken before the monsoon season starts.
All public- and private-sector hospitals are on board and have been instructed to share dengue-related information immediately, he said, assuring they have complete coordination with private hospitals. He also disclosed there is no proper association with hospitals in rest of the province.
"We have to take prompt action and have to identify the source of the growth of dengue mosquitoes," said Dr Qaisar Sajjad, the finance secretary of the central Pakistan Medical Association. "The issue is not being taken seriously," he said.
"Have they [DPCP officials] identified areas where dengue patients are being reported?" he questioned. "There is no treatment. There is no vaccination of dengue fever. Only prevention can save a person. Only awareness can help us to get rid of the issue."
Stressing on the fact that dengue is dangerous, Dr Sajjad pointed out that the virus claimed 52 lives in 2005, including 50 from Karachi. He said that it was awareness by different organisation that reduced more deaths. "Our attitude was the same with malaria and now we can't control it completely," he said, saying prompt and proper measures can completely wipe out dengue mosquitoes.
Dr Mullick agreed with Dr Sajjad that public awareness can make a difference. He urged that people should be careful around piles of garbage and uncovered water. "We can control it easily if citizens cooperate with us and act upon our advices," he urged.
According to Dr Sajjad, people should immediately consult a doctor in case of a fever. The patient should not take medicine without the doctor's advice, adding that excessive use of water and proper rest is advisable for someone suffering from dengue fever.
The commissioner's office said they have met representatives of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the district municipal corporations (DMC) and the cantonment boards to discuss the anti-dengue campaign. We have told them to start the fumigation drive immediately, said commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui.
"All cantonment areas have already started the fumigation," he said. "The drive must start from today (Tuesday) in all KMC and DMC areas." Siddiqui accepted that April was not dengue season but felt that all preventive measures must be taken.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2015.