Dengue Fever

Dengue has gripped several parts of the country in the wake of the torrential monsoon rains this year.

So far, the District Health Officer (DHO) Islamabad, has recorded a total number of 1,561 cases this year, with the capital city, Islamabad, recording 105 cases in the past 24 hours.

Moreover, the number of dengue cases in Lahore is also spreading rapidly with 100 cases recorded in under 24 hours, while dengue larvae are being found in over 764 hotspots in the city alone.

Yet, Karachi seems to be facing the worst outbreak of them all, with 16 fatalities in a single day and the number of new cases being reported growing exponentially. A total number of 248 cases have been reported in the past 24 hours, with the city-wide total coming to above 3,285. Meanwhile, the number of cases seen in Karachi alone this year comes to a total of about 5,492.

Dengue fever itself is transmitted through the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with the dengue virus, hence it can’t be spread from person to person. Heavy rains coupled with the mismanagement of stagnant mucky water have caused an increase in the number of mosquito larvae, becoming the main factor in the outbreak of the dengue virus.

Thus, in such times it is vital that we, as a nation, exercise great caution and implement preventative measures whenever possible, these include;

• Applying mosquito repellent, even while indoors.

• Make sure your windows and doors have screens to prevent the entrance of mosquitos

• When indoors, use air-conditioning, if available.

• If sleeping areas are not screened, use mosquito nets

• While outdoors, wear full-sleeved shirts

• If you experience symptoms of dengue, speak to a doctor immediately.

Some of these symptoms may include;

• Sudden high fever

• Severe headaches

• Pain behind the eyes

• Extreme joint or muscle pain

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Skin rash, which appears two to five days after the onset of fever

• Mild bleeding (such as nose bleeding, bleeding gums or easy bruising.)

If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is highly recommended that you consult a doctor and follow all curative measures, as prescribed by the doctors.

To build a healthy society it is important to follow all instructions provided by your doctor and to adhere to all preventative methods. Your life is in your hands!