NIH confirms one dengue-related death

After hitting Lahore and wreaking havoc there, the deadly dengue virus is gripping the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi as National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed Tuesday at least 23 cases and one death from the fatal disease. According to official figures, NIH confirmed 12 cases from Islamabad, 11 cases from Rawalpindi, 1,505 cases in Punjab, 159 in Sindh, 04 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 04 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir so far. In the capital city, Shifa International Hospital has admitted 6 dengue patients, KRL Hospital has received 3 infected people, Polyclinic Hospital 1 patient and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences 2 dengue patients so far.
Meanwhile, the NIH has also confirmed 8 dengue cases at Benazir Bhutto Hospital and 3 at Holy Family Hospital. In total the NIH has received unconfirmed reports of at least 200 dengue cases from the twin cities. However, when contacted, Dr Sharif Astori of the Polyclinic Hospital denied they had admitted any dengue patient contradicting official data. He said the dengue virus was endemic in Pakistan and the period between August and October-end could be critical. He said the rainy season was favorable for mosquitoes’ breeding and recent heavy rains had triggered the dengue fever.
Tropical, sub-tropical, urban and suburban areas are ideal breeding sites for dengue mosquitoes, he said, adding that the number of dengue patients had increased fourfold in the last three decades. He said only precautionary measures could help stop the spread of disease including regular sprays, fumigation, cleaning of drains, filling wastewater with sand and mud and house-ceiling against mosquitoes. He suggested people should avoid stagnation of water for more than seven days.
He said typical symptoms included mild fever and headache that could last from two to five days. A few patients could also develop a rash on the skin, bleeding from gums or nose or, nausea and vomiting, he added. He said dengue could be diagnosed within the first five days of the fever. “Maximum fluids are necessary for dengue patients since dehydration is very likely to occur,” he added.
Meanwhile, in another development, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi has directed the Health Services Directorate to expedite pace of anti-dengue campaign in the capital to prevent the residents from it. Health Services Directorate of CDA has divided the city into three regions for the purpose of comprehensive coverage: the Region I covers katchi abadies of the city and adjoining drains. The Region II covers greenbelts and adjoining drains while Region-III covers the government accommodations, mosques, imambargahs and churches and attached residential areas.