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Monday, August 22, 2011

Pakistan : Dengue outbreak on horizon as Karachi witnesses 14 cases in two weeks

Via Daily Times :

" Karachi: With reporting of 14 new dengue cases in Karachi during last two week, the threat of outbreak is on the horizon after recent monsoon showers.

With these new cases the total number of confirmed cases of dengue virus in Sindh during the running year so far has jumped to 138, and healthcare experts have warned of a dengue epidemics in the province if urgent and solid preventative steps not taken by the concerned authorities.

Incharge of Sindh Health Department’s Dengue Surveillance Cell Dr Suresh Kumar told PPI that this year so far 138 dengue viral fever cases have already been confirmed in the province; out of them cases 18 belong to Tando Muhamamd Khan, one to Hyderabad and rest 119 to Karachi.

Fortunately, no dengue death has been reported so far in the province during the current year. He said after the rains, it is normal that mosquitoes breed in the pools of accumulated rainwater. However, sources said that the government has yet to set up isolation wards for dengue patients at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Civil Hospital Karachi, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Qatar Hospital Sindh government hospitals at New Karachi, Liaquatabad and other teaching hospitals.

They said the dengue patients are compelled to visit costly private hospitals due to lack of proper facilities at the government hospitals. It was learnt that the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) had suspended its fumigation drive one month ago due to lack of funds. The fumigation vehicles could not be run due to no-fuel situation and also dearth of spraying chemicals."

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