ISLAMABAD: While cases of dengue have been continuously increasing in the federal capital, the total number has surpassed the figure of 2,072 which is why Minister for National Health Services (NHS) Abdul Qadir Patel has directed hospitals to dedicate beds for patients. As many as 150 patients surfaced in the twin cities on Monday. Out of the 81 cases reported in the capital, 41 came from the urban areas and 40 from the rural areas.

The letter, dated Sept 26, stated that keeping in view the recent surge of dengue patients reported in Islamabad in the last few weeks, the health minister has directed that all public-sector hospitals must ensure 24/7 availability of beds to the dengue patients.

“Moreover, it is informed that adequate number of hospital staff must be present to attend the serious patients. The availability of ICU/emergency situation beds should be ensured to avoid any mortality,” it stated.

The dengue virus is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The most common symptoms of dengue are high-grade fever accompanied by joint and muscular aches. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for dengue but early detection and proper medical care can lower mortality. Otherwise, the disease may turn into a life-threatening haemorrhagic fever, which in turn may lead to bleeding and dangerously low blood pressure.

Over 100 more diagnosed in twin cities

Rapid and unplanned urbanisation, lack of sanitation and climate change are all contributing towards a surge in dengue infections.

Rawalpindi

Dengue virus gripped the garrison city as 69 patients contracted the deadly virus on Monday.

As many 243 confirmed dengue patients were admitted to three government-run hospitals, out of which 62 were in Holy Family Hospital (HFH), 116 patients in Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) and 65 in District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital.

Among the patients admitted to the hospitals, 187 belong to Rawalpindi district, 38 are from Islamabad, two are from Abbottabad, eight from Attock, two each from Bagh and Haripur while one each was from Mianwali, Sudhanoti, Mohmand and Peshawar.

Among the new dengue patients of the garrison city, 40 arrived from Potohar Town, nine are from Rawalpindi cantonment, eight from city areas, two from Chaklala cantonment and three each are from rural areas, Taxila and Kahuta. The recent spike in cases has hit the garrison city after two years.

In 2019, 2606 patients were reported in the garrison city till Sept 26 while in 2020, a total of 10 patients were reported whereas in 2021, 84 patients were reported. However, in 2022, from January to Sept 26, a total of 1,882 patients have been reported.

District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Anser Ishaq told Dawn that the number of patients decreased in the garrison city due to effective management of health teams.

He said that dengue virus spread in the district from three areas including Kahuta, Chak Jalaldin and Dhama Syedan while now, one patient was reported from Kahuta, none from Chak Jalaldin and three from Dhama Syedan. “It has been proved that the cycle of the virus broke in these areas,” he said, adding that the number of patients increased from Dhamial Union Council.

“We started fogging and other effective measures and we would break the virus cycle within a week,” he said, adding that people should adopt safety measures to avoid further spread of the virus in the garrison city. He said that health department teams were on their toes to eliminate dengue larvae in the garrison city.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2022