Two provinces of Pakistan Punjab And Khyber Pakhtunkhwa In the past 24 hours, health authorities in several cities Dengue 140 new cases of the virus have been confirmed.
Dengue specific The mosquito It is a disease spread by the bite, the most severe form of which can lead to death.
People infected with dengue experience severe flu-like symptoms, including high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and nausea and vomiting, usually lasting about a week.
According to Arab News, Punjab Health Secretary Ali Khan said that provincial authorities confirmed 1458 cases of viral infection in 36 districts of Punjab this year.
The highest number of cases have been reported in Lahore 562, Rawalpindi 271, Multan 166, Faisalabad 112 and Gujranwala 54.
Ali Khan said in a statement: ‘A total of 62 dengue patients are currently being treated in hospitals across Punjab, whose condition is stable.’
The government has allocated 2678 beds for dengue patients in public hospitals of Punjab.
The official said that no patient died of infection in Punjab this year.
He urged people to keep their environment clean and dry to avoid the spread of infection and to cooperate with the urban health teams for its prevention.
Ali Khan added that people can contact the health department on the toll-free helpline 1033 for information about dengue fever, its treatment and any complaints.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has confirmed 97 cases of dengue virus in the last 24 hours, while authorities have also recorded 55 new cases of chicken pox in various cities of the province.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Professor Dr Riaz Anwar Khan told Arab News: ‘The total number of dengue virus patients from almost all districts is 97.
“We have 55 cases of chicken pox among teachers and children in Mastooj town of Chitral and Tirah valley of Khyber district.”
Ali Khan added that the health department has directed the authorities to form teams to prevent further spread of dengue virus and provide proper medical facilities to the patients.
The official said that most of the cases are being reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa capital Peshawar, Mardan and Swabi districts.
“More cases are being reported from other parts of the province, including the newly merged tribal districts.”
He added that ‘my department is constantly monitoring the situation and steps are being taken to prevent dengue larvae in all districts.’
Ali Khan said that district headquarters hospitals have been advised to ensure 24-hour availability of medical staff and medicines.
He further said that ‘health officials have started indoor residual spraying in the affected areas to control the situation.
!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)
{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?
n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};
if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version=’2.0′;
n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,’script’,
‘https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js’);
fbq(‘init’, ‘2494823637234887’);
fbq(‘track’, ‘PageView’);
#cases #dengue #Punjab #Khyber #Pakhtunkhwa
**Interview with Dr. Amina Khattak, Epidemiologist, on the Recent Dengue Fever Surge in Pakistan**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khattak. We’ve seen a concerning rise in dengue cases in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Can you provide us with some context on this situation?
**Dr. Khattak:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the recent numbers are alarming. In the last 24 hours, 140 new dengue cases were reported just in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which highlights the ongoing risk of outbreaks. Historically, these provinces have struggled with dengue, particularly during the monsoon season when mosquito populations peak.
**Editor:** The health department confirmed a total of 1,458 cases in Punjab this year. Which areas seem to be the most affected?
**Dr. Khattak:** Lahore leads with 562 cases, followed by Rawalpindi with 271. It’s crucial to target our efforts where the infection rates are highest, providing educational resources and healthcare support.
**Editor:** What can you tell us about the symptoms for those who may be at risk?
**Dr. Khattak:** Those infected often experience severe flu-like symptoms: high fever, debilitating headaches, muscle and joint pain, alongside nausea and vomiting. It usually lasts about a week, but if left untreated, it can escalate to severe dengue, which can be life-threatening.
**Editor:** It’s good to hear that no fatalities have been reported this year in Punjab. What measures are being taken to manage the outbreak?
**Dr. Khattak:** The government has been proactive. They’ve allocated nearly 2,700 beds specifically for dengue patients in public hospitals. Additionally, health officials are urging the public to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings and to report any mosquito breeding sites to local authorities.
**Editor:** What advice do you have for the general public to protect themselves from this virus?
**Dr. Khattak:** I would advise people to keep their environments clean and dry—mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so eliminating these habitats is crucial. It’s also important to use mosquito repellents and wear protective clothing, especially during peak mosquito activity hours.
**Editor:** Thank you for those valuable insights, Dr. Khattak. It’s clear that community cooperation is vital in combating dengue fever.
**Dr. Khattak:** Absolutely. Together, we can make a significant impact. If anyone has questions or concerns, they can also reach out to health authorities through the toll-free helpline 1033 for more information.
**Editor:** Thank you for your time and expertise. Let’s hope for a swift resolution to this health challenge.
Reat to hear that patients are receiving care, but what measures are being implemented to prevent further spread of the virus?
**Dr. Khattak:** The health departments are taking proactive steps, such as ensuring the availability of medical resources and forming dedicated teams to tackle the outbreak. Public awareness campaigns are also critical; we encourage communities to maintain cleanliness and cooperate with health teams in controlling mosquito breeding sites. Additionally, indoor residual spraying is underway in areas with high case reports to mitigate further transmission.
**Editor:** That sounds essential. What should individuals do if they suspect they might have dengue?
**Dr. Khattak:** If anyone suspects they have dengue fever, they should seek medical attention immediately. They can also contact health authorities through helplines like 1033 for guidance. Early detection and management are key to preventing serious complications, so it’s important not to ignore symptoms.
**Editor:** With the increasing cases, what is the outlook for managing this outbreak?
**Dr. Khattak:** The situation requires continuous monitoring and community engagement. While we can control outbreaks by maintaining health protocols and educating the public, the cooperation of the public is vital. We need everyone on board to limit mosquito breeding, and with some consistent collective effort, we can mitigate the impact of this disease.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Khattak, for shedding light on such an important issue. It’s crucial for the public to stay informed and act responsibly during this time.
**Dr. Khattak:** Thank you for having me.
