The dengue fever which had earlier gripped the general public now seemed to have turned its guns on the Punjab Police as over 60 dengue cases were reported from Police Lines, as two people also died of dengue fever in Khyber Pakhtukhwa and another 50 blood samples were sent to Islamabad to test for this virus.
Well-placed sources seeking anonymity told Pakistan Today that five men from the Quraban lines, 20 from VVIP security, 10 from different police stations and 20 from traffic police had been tested positive to dengue fever, adding that this figure was rising alarmingly. According to infected police officials, the dengue fever outbreak in the police machinery was triggered by unhygienic conditions at police stations.
They claimed that significant rain water had been seen standing at multiple places in the compound of police lines, which was why the dengue outburst was taking its toll. Over fifty Mujahid squad officials including a Station House Officer (SHO) were also tested positive to the dengue virus. A source said these officials had become ill at almost the same time period, adding that their illness was at its first stage and the patients were being treated.
Moreover, two people died of Dengue fever in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and health authorities have also confirmed at least 15 more cases of this fever. A Health and Emergency Preparedness Response Cell (HEPR) official said 55 suspected cases had been reported from different districts of the province. He said the health department had set up isolation wards in every district to provide better treatment and diagnostic facilities to patients suffering from the dengue virus.
Blood samples of 50 government employees, suspected of suffering from the dengue virus were also sent to Islamabad on Saturday. These government officials, serving in Charsadda, Lakki Marwat, Battagram, Hari Pur, Mansehra and Abbottabad, were brought to the Hayat Abad Medical Complex, Ayub Teaching hospital Abbottabad and DHQ hospital. Major symptoms of the dengue virus are headache, fever, exhaustion, severe joint and muscle pain, swollen glands and skin rashes.
Health experts have recommended usage of mosquito repellant sprays to prevent mosquito bites. Moreover, they have advised people to limit exposure to mosquitoes by avoiding standing water.