In an alarming development on Tuesday the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed 16 cases of dengue in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while many suburban areas of Islamabad are still awaiting the city developer’s fumigation drive.
Suburban areas of Islamabad like Bhara Kau, Bani Gala, Bari Imam and many other areas have not been fumigated yet. Eleven heavily polluted streams in Islamabad, which are considered the breeding ground for the mosquitoes, have also been ignored.
According to official figures, the NIH confirmed 11 cases from Islamabad, five cases from Rawalpindi, 221 from Punjab, 136 from Sindh, one from KPK and three from AJK, so far.
A health official at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said the dengue virus was endemic in Pakistan and occurred throughout the year, but remained on the rise especially from August to the end of October. Rainy days are optimal for breeding of dengue causing mosquitoes, as the heavy torrential rains help in activating mosquito victors (eggs).
He added that the ratio of dengue patients had increased fourfold in the last three decades.
Proper surveillance, keeping a watch on the vector contact, larvacidal sprays and isolation of the infected persons are important in fighting the disease, he added.
He suggested that water should not be allowed to stagnate for more than seven days, drains should be cleaned regularly, waste-water should be filled with sand and mud and houses should be proofed against mosquitoes.
He said dengue fever was usually a mild fever with a headache that lasted from two to five days. A few patients might develop rashes on the skin, bleed from the gums, nose or in vomits, due to internal bleeding, he said. He added that dengue viral fever could be diagnosed within five days of continuous fever.
It was necessary that the dengue patients are kept properly hydrated, he said, adding that antibiotic and antiviral medication did not help cure this infection.
