KARACHI: Seven areas identified as breeding spots: Dengue fever
By Nasir Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Nov 4: The government has spotted seven areas based on demographic data as a major breeding source that contributed to the outbreak of dengue fever in Karachi though the scourge of mosquito borne fever did not spare affluent neighbourhoods as well.
"Solid waste and junkyards of used tires, iron containers and similar throwaways were a common feature in these seven localities, including Landhi, Korangi, Malir and Jamshed Quarters from where a majority of patients came," Federal Minister for Health Mohammad Nasir Khan told reporters here at the Health Ministry on Saturday.
Prepared by the federal government, in collaboration with the Sindh administration, the data suggested that all kinds of water holding containers especially those used inside homes where city water supplies are not reliable or junkyards provides ideal breeding ground for 'Aedes Aegypti' mosquito which lives in dark and cool places, he said but appreciated Governor Sindh Isharatul Ibad’s initiative to clean the streets of the biggest metropolitan city.
"I also intend to bring a bill before the cabinet for mandatory garbage removal as these are the main source of epidemic in cities," the minister said.
"Though I do not want to indulge in blame game, respective municipal authorities have to realize and fulfil their responsibility of cleaning the cities by removing garbage strewn open in our cities," he observed.
With the assistance of the WHO, the health ministry has prepared a protocol that a dengue suspects should expect to get in hospitals while compact disc (CD) containing guidelines is being dispatched to every hospital of the country especially in the epidemic hit areas.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) is also constantly monitoring the situation of dengue in the country through an integrated effort by keeping all the provincial governments on board.
A sustainable six-month national strategy for the control of dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) has already been prepared to attack the vector and create awareness about cleanliness and personal hygiene.
Larvaciding will be introduced to kill larvae and pupae of the mosquito by using chemicals or toxins. Large permanent containers will be identified by vector control agencies to treat with insecticides.
It also asks to keep at least three thermal fogging machines in an area having a population of one million besides pesticide resistance monitoring by vector control agencies be done regularly.Likewise the health education campaign should focus on improving water storage practices by creating awareness among general population, like frequently changing water held in small containers.School-based community awareness programmes targeting children and parents to eliminate vector breeding sites in and around home should also commence while mosques can also be used for enhancing general public awareness.
The strategy also includes case management training of care providers at both public and private sector health facilities to enhance skills to save lives. Field staff will also be trained in vector control methodologies by expert medical entomologist (study of insects) through a technically sound agency or institution.
WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Khalif Bile explained that dengue mosquito was a lazy insect and could not fly more than 100 meters. This means that chances of insect bite would be removed if people maintain hygiene and cleanliness around their houses.
WHO has also suggested the KPT to fulfil its duty of keeping its surroundings safe for the community as the international health regulations mandates all airports and sea port management to keep adjacent locality within 400 metres clean.
Regarding statistics, Secretary Health Anwar Mehmood informed the press that as of
November 4, 905 cases have been confirmed out of a total of 2,786 suspects also showing a drop of mortality trend to 0.92 per cent from earlier 1.86 per cent after the death of 32 people (31 in Karachi, one in Peshawar).
Out of 2,786 suspects, 74 confirm cases are from Islamabad, 73 from Rawalpindi, 17 from Punjab (Chakwal, Khushab and Lahore), 733 from Sindh (Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana Umer Kot and Sukker), four from NWFP (Peshawar, Abbotabad, Khyber Agency) and four from AJK (Kotli).
