At least 137 fresh cases of dengue fever were registered in three government-run hospitals of Rawalpindi, taking the reported tally of the mosquito-borne viral disease reported within one month to 934. Out of the 137 cases, 76 were resgitered at Holy Family Hospital (HFH), 55 at Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) and six at District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital. No data is available from private medical facilities in the city. All the patients at the government-run hospitals arrived from 70 city union councils and 20 wards of Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonment Board. The dengue virus, though potentially fatal when it assumes hemorrhagic form, is very rarely deadly when treated swiftly. But a lack of awareness frequently causes complications and, despite mass public campaigns, we still seem to struggle to educate people about it. It is also true that the risks increase with the number of dengue cases. An infected person, even after recovery, can become a carrier, and with more carriers the disease spreads more rapidly as the mosquito carries it to the next victim. Those who suffer dengue twice are also likely to be more gravely affected.For these reasons the outbreak of the dengue virus in the federal capital should not be taken lightly. Authorities confirm 69 new cases have been reported this week from Islamabad hospitals, taking the total number up to 170. Of course other, unreported cases may exist. The symptoms of dengue closely resemble those of the flu, combined with acute body aches; many patients do not report it till severe effects are felt. Most of the cases are being reported from Islamabad’s rural areas, with four outlying areas declared dengue prone, but there have also been cases from within the city itself and from towns such as Mansehra in neighbouring areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Health and administrative officials argue that we are still not in the midst of an epidemic. They may be correct, but the main priority has to be to prevent the rise in cases multiplying. The warnings to hospitals to stay on alert and not allow dengue patients to refuse treatment or walk away from hospital is probably wise. Our central aim must, however, be to eradicate the disease or at least prevent annual outbreaks. This is the worst outbreak in three years. The cycle can be broken only by involving entire communities in the preventive measures needed to drive out dengue from our shores.
pk.shafaqna.com
