On May 2nd, 5 membered delegation of WHO visited Karachi on the request of Sindh’s Health Department and gathered all information pertaining to the disease and formed a policy for its prevention. The disease has reached to Thatta, Mirpur khas and now even to Thar Parker. The delegation lamented on the dilapidated condition of health and sanitation, and also they were astonished on the unawareness of doctors about the dirty conditions of hospitals and symptoms of the disease. Moreover, the major shock for them was that there is no injection for Chikungunya prevention but Pakistan was claiming of having such injection.
The mosquitoes mostly attack during the day and breed around clean water. Chikungunya means ‘to distort’, directly relating to the stooped appearance of the patient due to extreme pain in and around the joints during the onset of the disease.
There is no specific vaccine or antiviral drugs for this infection, and the treatment is primarily symptomatic. The symptoms are often difficult to differentiate from dengue, hence it is important not to take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, diclo fenac and ibuprofen till dengue is ruled out, as these medicines can cause platelets to fall in dengue infection.
Proper preventive measures should be taken by everyone such as avoiding water storage in open containers, using mosquito netting and repellents, wearing protective clothes, keeping the surrounding area free from standing water and avoiding exposure during day time.
Dr Zeeshan Khan
CMH Lahore
