The Chikungunya viral fever cases have also being reported from Lyari Town of Karachi for the last few weeks, while the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad has confirmed the presence of Chikungunya virus in Lyari as seven people are tested positive out of nine samples sent to the NIH for investigations.
Talking to PPI, Director Health Services Dr Abdul Wahid Panhwar confirmed the presence of Chikungunya viral fever in Lyari Town.
He informed that blood samples of nine people were sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH) for investigation and out of them seven samples were tested positive. He said monitoring teams have been formed and moved to Lyari Town to tackle the prevailing situation.
He said teams are visiting the private hospitals and clinics of Lyari Town for monitoring the situation. He claimed that situation in Lyari Town now is under control. He informed that a total 26 suspected Chikungunya viral fever cases have been reported from Lyari Town from December 29, 2016, till date.
Panhwar informed 480 suspected Chikungunya fever cases were reported in Saudabad and its adjoining areas to date, out of them four were tested positive.
He further said a total 510 Chikungunya fever cases were reported from Saudabad and Lyari areas so far.
However, the independent sources said that over 5000 patients were affected by Chikungunya viral fever in Saudabad and Lyari in a month. They informed that Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes.
To control mosquito breeding is the first step to control the Chikungunya viral fever; however, the city administration is helpless to overcome leaking pipelines and overflowing gutters in almost all parts of the city.
