|
|
| October 28, 2006 | Saturday | Shawwal 4, 1427 |
Number of dengue fever cases hits 60
ISLAMABAD Oct 27: Dengue fever outbreak in the twin cities has started assuming proportions of an epidemic with the tally of confirmed cases touching 60 and the countrywide figure of deaths due to the disease standing at an all time high of 27.
The total number of suspect cases reported in Rawalpindi and Islamabad was 117. The previous figure of highest number of deaths was 11 in 2003.
Despite the aggravating situation the civic agencies in the twin cities responsible for tasks like sanitation and anti- mosquito spray are still busy formulating their plans and are yet to take any practical step for mosquito control.
Vector control is the only viable option for controlling the spread of the disease, which requires a proactive role by municipal bodies.
According to the health ministry, the total number of dengue virus confirmed positive cases in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has now reached 60, out of which 39 are from different hospitals of Rawalpindi and 21 from Islamabad.
The number of cases at the start of the week in the twin cities was barely a dozen.
Head of Pathology Department, Rawalpindi Medical College, Prof (Dr) Abbas Hayat described the situation as epidemic. “This is just a tip of the iceberg,” he said.
Another reputed medical practitioner said since the number of cases was well beyond the routine acceptable level it constituted an epidemic and warranted emergency measures. “It is too serious a situation,” he added.
An official of the National Institute of Health (NIH) had before the Eid break warned while talking to Dawn that since this was the second spike of the disease in the country it would be much severe than the previous episode.
The NIH has received 19 fresh samples of suspected cases of dengue fever from the twin cities during the past 24 hours.
According to Health Department Sindh, the total number of patients with dengue fever symptoms admitted to different hospitals in Sindh during the current wave of dengue fever since October 2, 2006 now stands at 1,576.
Prof Abbas Hayat suggested that the health ministry
would have to take cue from Sri Lanka to control the spread of the disease and check its recurrence.
Sri Lanka was able to reduce the number of dengue cases in just one year from 15,365 in 2004 to 3,000 in 2005 largely to awareness campaign and proper municipal management. Otherwise the annual outbreaks are likely to gather strength over time, he cautioned.
Meanwhile, figures provided by NIH stated that out of a total of 305 samples so far received by NIH 149 had tested positive and 102 were found to be negative for the disease, while 59 were under process.
Anti-dengue spray: Rawal Town has made special arrangements to sprinkle anti-dengue spray all over the town to prevent spread of the epidemic.
Caused through the sting of a particular mosquito, dengue fever has been on the rise in the twin cities sending fear amongst the people.
Taking notice of the dangerous disease, Nazim Rawal Town Sheikh Rashid Shafique has issued directives to the health department to make a comprehensive schedule for the spray.
The nazim on Friday had a round of the city to take stock of the situation.
He said that spray would be sprinkled in all union councils. First on the shorelines of Leh nullah and then on the population adjacent to it and then the small nullahs and drains and other areas.
Mr Shafique will himself supervise the spray.
He has requested people to cooperate with the Rawal Town administration to ensure proper sprinkling of anti-mosquitoes spray in all areas.
The nazim said that cleanliness situation in the city was not in proper condition due to non-availability of appropriate garbage-dumping site and other problems.
He has appealed to the president, prime minister and chief minister Punjab to help solve the sanitation problems of the town.
|
|
