The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that dengue mainly affected people in South Asia. The health sector of Pakistan reported its deadly effects due to unhealthy food, eatables with improper hygiene among the population.
With the COVID-19 infection claiming daily lives in Pakistan, medical experts have warned of another looming threat of dengue infection rising across the country, with some areas being declared "sensitive" by health authorities due to dengue larvae found in water. Another report published by Gulf news highlighted the increasing cases of dengue fever in KPK, Punjab and Islamabad. If well-coordinated efforts are not considered, COVID-19 and dengue fever could devastate the circumstances of the entire country
For the year 2021, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 48,906 cases including 183 deaths were reported in Pakistan and the situation is highly alarming due to increasing cases. According to DAWN reports, more people are testing positive for dengue every day across the country. As of 25 November 2021, Punjab has reported 24,146 cases since January, with Lahore the worst affected. Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 10,223 cases, Sindh 5,548 cases, federally administered ICT reported 5,261 cases, Balochistan reported 2,054 cases and AJK 1,674 cases. If immediate preventive measures are not taken, the situation will worsen, especially in Punjab.
According to the report of the District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Around 35 patients were admitted to the "Federal Services Government Polyclinic Hospital and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for serious illness by Zaeema Zia until October 2021."
In KPK, the number of cases also seems to be on the rise. KPK health statistics showed that during the 2021 survey, many areas of Peshawar city were declared dengue sensitive, including Shaheen Muslim town, Tehkal, Landi Arbab, due to the presence of dengue larvae in the water. The main person "Integrated Vector Management Program (IVMP)" Dr. Khalid told Express Tribune about the 1st dengue case. He said it was detected on 14 July 2021 from LandiKotal Tehsil.
Plus, he said, we get 2 or 3 cases a day. Sultan Khel is now reported to be the central area where dengue is spreading rapidly among the population. Government team members have arranged spraying in some areas of Landikotal, but our resources are limited to carry out door-to-door spraying, he added. According to reports, two fatal accidents were also reported in Manshera town in KPK in October 2021. In total, 10,223 cases were documented in KPK from January to November 2021.
In addition, local media reported that three people died of dengue fever in Karachi in October. Since the beginning of October, 1255 cases have been detected in Karachi due to changes in weather and rains. In the latest report, health officials have shown that 7808 cases have been reported in Sindh.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, the cases reported in Pakistan in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 were 22938, more than 3200, 24547 and 3442 respectively. By November 2021, 48,906 cases had been reported for that year . Between November 19, 2021 and December 10, 2021, 16388 cases were reported. In a similar period in 2020, only 1153 cases were reported. Almost every year or every other year, Pakistan faces an epidemic of dengue fever with increasing severity and mortality despite all the efforts of the government. Without such efforts, the epidemic would have been much worse.
According to government officials, targeted operations like 'mosquito larva eradication' have been carried out to eradicate mosquito larvae in various cities of KPK and Punjab. Repellents and barriers are standard methods of protection against mosquito bites and vector control . The government of Pakistan has advised people to remove standing water near their h
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