PAKISTAN - ?Emergency reporting cell needed for Dengue Fever?

[Snowy Owl]

?Emergency reporting cell needed for Dengue Fever?
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...3-2007_pg12_10

KARACHI

The Infection Control Society of Pakistan has recommended an Emergency Reporting and Response Cell in Sindh to counter any possible outbreak of Dengue Fever and Degue Haemorrhagic Fever.

Dr. Rafiq Khanani said while talking to APP Tuesday that the proposed cell would be equally beneficial for data collection and relevant interventions to eliminate other diseases as Malaria.

The Emergency Reporting and Response Cell must also be authorised to collect data from general physicians and hospitals regarding suspected as well as confirmed cases of diseases already quite common or registered to be assuming epidemic proportions in the local population, he elaborated.

"This will help us evolve an efficient strategy to eradicate these diseases in the best possible and most cost effective manner," Prof. Khanani said.

To a question, he said that an Emergency Reporting and Response Cell would also facilitiate the functioning of an "Early Warning System". He warned that Dengue Fever this year is feared to attack Karachi in much larger numbers but also with more ferocity as compared to previous years.

"It is extremely essential to sensitize that all those who were already inflicted with Dengue, at one point in time or the other that they should avoid getting bitten under all conditions," he said.

Anyone previously infected could spread the disease among others if bitten again, he said.