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| November 13, 2006 | Monday | Shawwal 20, 1427 |
Dengue cases declining: minister
LAHORE, Nov 12: The number of dengue fever patients had started declining in the country with the change in weather and the incidence would be reduced to a great extent in the approaching winter, claimed Federal Health Minister Muhammad Naseer Khan here on Sunday.
He was talking to reporters at Sheikh Zayed Hospital where he inquired after dengue patients.
Mr Khan said as the fever causing mosquito could not survive in winter therefore the incidence would automatically be controlled soon.
He said at present 440 patients suffering from dengue fever were admitted to various hospitals in the country and the government was providing them the best treatment.
So far 3,324 patients were admitted to hospitals in the country out of whom, 1,178 were found dengue positive. The number of people died so far in the country was just 35.
The highest number of such patients was reported from Sindh which was 2,797, the minister said, adding that no dengue related death had been reported from Punjab and Balochistan so far.
Out of 52 patients admitted to Sheikh Zayed Hospital, 22 were declared dengue positive, he said.
“At present only 14 patients are in the hospital and are getting the best treatment there.”
The minister said the graph of the incidence was fast lowering in the country and 145 patients had been discharged from hospitals during the past 24 hours.
He said poor waste management and air pollution were the causes of dengue fever. The ratio of the incidence was higher in warm areas of the country.
Mr Khan said the health ministry was fully focussing on dengue fever and its root causes. It was expanding the malaria programme and educating people on how to adopt preventive measures against dengue fever through media.
He said by next year the government would spend Rs30 billion to ensure the provision of clean drinking water in most of the areas in the country, appealing to people to adopt preventive measures so that dengue fever could be controlled.
The minister appreciated the Punjab government and the City District Government Lahore for adopting measures to protect people from dengue fever and provide proper treatment to those already contracting it.
He took a round of the wards to inquire after dengue patients and expressed satisfaction over the quality of treatment in the hospital.
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