Pakistan: 2016/2017 Chikungunya

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.geo.tv/latest/124036-Doctors-puzzled-by-unknown-viral-disease-in-Karachi


Doctors puzzled by unknown viral disease in Karachi
Khawar Khan
December 17, 2016

KARACHI: An unknown viral disease is affecting hundreds of people in the Saudabad neighbouhood of the city.

According to Senior Health Director, Dr Abdul Wahid Panwar initially the behaviour and symptoms of the virus are similar to dengue, with patients experiencing having high grade fever, severe body pain to the extent that people are unable to walk or sit.

According to the Medical Superintendent of Sindh Government Hospital Saudabad, Dr Rehana Bajwa so far more than 1,500 people have been visited to hospital including women and children.

Dr Bajwa added, the majority of people are coming from Saudabad, Pipri, Gadap and Bin Qasim.

Dr Bajwa further said to avoid the virus people should care about the cleanness and use mosquito repellent...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/blo...rus-cases-spark-fears-of-outbreak-in-karachi/


Chikungunya virus cases spark fears of outbreak in Karachi
Karachi
4 hours ago BY News Desk

A viral disease ?chikungunya? is suspected of hitting Malir area of the city here and the very staff of Sindh Government Hospital Saudabad is hit by the suspected virus. After malaria and dengue, the people of Karachi are threatened by this new chikungunya virus.

According to details, 17 doctors, 31 paramedics, and eight sanitary workers were affected by the virus...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://nation.com.pk/national/19-Dec-2016/no-chikungunya-outbreak-in-malir-sindh-health-minister


No Chikungunya outbreak in Malir: Sindh Health Minister
December 19, 2016, 1:00 pm

Sindh Health Minister Sikandar Mandhro says there is no Chikungunya outbreak in Malir area of Karachi.

Talking to newsmen here on Monday, he said not a single case of Chikungunya disease has been reported in Pakistan. He said blood samples of people suffering from mysterious disease have been sent to laboratory for test. He said a team of doctors from Islamabad has also been asked to reach Karachi.

He said almost all the people suffering from the mysterious disease were discharged from hospitals after initial treatment...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/173076-Chikungunya-cases-in-Malir-hit-3000

Chikungunya cases in Malir hit 3,000
Home / Today's Paper / Karachi / Chikungunya cases in Malir hit 3,000
December 20, 2016

Emergency declared at all hospitals in Malir and its adjoining areas because of the outbreak of mosquito-borne disease; fumigation drive also launched

Over 3,000 cases of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease similar to dengue and Zika, have been reported in the last few days at government- and privately-run hospitals in Malir.

Following the outbreak of the disease, the symptoms of which include fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rashes, the provincial health authorities have declared a state of emergency in all public sector health facilities in Malir and its adjoining areas.

The provincial health authorities have yet to find out what caused the outbreak of chikungunya, for which there is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/1268274/malir-outbreak-blood-samples-sent-investigation/

Malir outbreak: Blood samples sent for investigation
By Our Correspondent
Published: December 20, 2016

KARACHI:
The blood samples of five victims, suspected to have chikungunya virus, have been sent to the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, for investigation.

The step was taken following the emergence of reports that thousands of patients have been suffering from an unknown virus in District Malir and its adjoining areas.

Talking about the issue, Karachi health director Dr Waheed Panhwar directed the people to refrain from calling the virus chikungunya or any other virus. ?It?s premature to name the virus as chikungunya prior to the diagnosis of the dispatched blood samples,? he remarked.

He said that experts are investigating the virus, which has enveloped Malir district and its adjoining areas. He was of the view that the name of virus can only be confirmed once the investigation has been completed...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/news/no-case-chikungunya-virus-pakistan/


No case of Chikungunya virus in Pakistan: WHO
By Web Desk on December 20, 2016

ISLAMABAD: No case of Chikungunya virus has been confirmed in Pakistan till date. Any information circulating with regard to confirmation of any case is incorrect and misleading, informs a joint statement issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health here Sunday.

The statement has been issued in view of unconfirmed reports about the presence of Chikungunya virus in Karachi, Sindh, especially in the areas of Malir. ?The WHO, the Ministry of Health, and the Sindh Department of Health are working closely in the wake of these unconfirmed reports, and are carrying out epidemiological investigations,? the statement says...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/173336-Over-100-more-people-contract-mysterious-bug

Over 100 more people contract mysterious bug
December 21, 2016
Print : Karachi

More than a hundred patients were taken to a hospital on Tuesday, as a mosquito-borne disease similar to dengue and Zika continues to wreak havoc on Karachi. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has refuted all claims connecting the mysterious disease with the chikungunya virus, both of which cause fever and severe joint pain.

Sindh Government Hospital Saudabad Medical Superintendent Dr Rehana has established a help desk for patients.

As many as 30,000 patients across the city have been affected by the unknown disease during the last 30 days.

Blood samples of patients coming to the hospital are being collected and dispatched to the Aga Khan University Hospital and the National Institute of Health Islamabad, officials said...

 

[Emily]

http://aaj.tv/2016/12/82-afflicted-by-mystery-disease-admitted-to-hospitals/

[h=1]82 afflicted by ?mystery disease? admitted to hospitals[/h] Posted on December 21, 2016 by madeeha zuberi in Editors Pick, National
...
Staffers of malaria control program have also carried out anti-mosquito spray in the hospital that created difficulty in breathing for the victims.
...

Although there is serological evidence of a historical presence of the virus in Pakistan, there is at this time no evidence of any nested transmission of Chikungunya in the country Imported cases can always appear as for any disease, but such importation, once early detected, would not cause any significant damage to public health...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/blo...ya-virus-spreads-to-several-parts-of-karachi/


Chikungunya virus spreads to several parts of Karachi
National
13 hours ago BY INP

Another 700 people were admitted to Saudabad Hospital in 24 hours over complaints with Chikungunya virus in Karachi?s Malir.

According to details, Chikungunya virus has spread to adjoining areas of Malir including Korangi, Madina Colony, Liaquat Market and Khokhrapar...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/1271981/take-care-three-chikungunya-cases-confirmed/


Take care: Three Chikungunya cases confirmed
By Hafeez Tunio
Published: December 22, 2016

KARACHI:
Out of the five cases sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, for diagnosis, three have tested positive for Chikungunya, it emerged on Thursday.

The samples were taken from Saudabad Hospital in Malir and sent to NIH. These three were the first confirmed cases of patients suffering from Chikungunya ? a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquito bites ? in Pakistan.

The disease has emerged after some patients suffering from high grade fever and joint pain were taken to Saudabad Hospital in Malir on November 19.

According to the findings of the reports, the blood specimen sent by Saudabad Hospital, Karachi, of Zohaib, 9, Umer, 11, and Ikhlaque, 45, have been declared positive for Chikungunya. The reports pouring in suggested that more than 3,000 people have suffered from this virus, which first spread in Tanzania in 1952, after which it was identified in over 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and America.

Doctors confirm that 86 suspected cases of Chikungunya have surfaced but the number of cases is declining with each passing day...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/1276248/pakistan-officially-reports-chikungunya-outbreak/

The Express Tribune > Pakistan
Pakistan officially reports Chikungunya outbreak to WHO
By Sehrish Wasif
Published: December 27, 2016

ISLAMABAD:
Nearly a week after the confirmation of three Chikungunya cases, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSRC) has for the first time officially reported the outbreak to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

?It is for the first time that Pakistan has officially documented the cases and have reported to the WHO,? DG Asad Hafiz said while talking to The Express Tribune on Tuesday. He, however, said the situation was ?under control? and only five cases had been confirmed by Islamabad?s National Institute of Health (NIH)...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/1283435/outbreak-alert-chikungunya-cases-rise-369/

Outbreak alert: Chikungunya cases rise to 369
By Our Correspondent
Published: January 3, 2017

KARACHI:
Total number of Chikungunya cases has risen to 369 as of Monday evening, according to the data received by the Karachi health director Dr Waheed Panhwar.

The majority of the cases have been reported in Khokhrapar, Ghariababad, Kalaboard and Ghazi Goth areas in District Malir and a few adjoining union councils of Korangi.

?Although the ratio of patients suffering from the Chikungunya virus has been decreasing due to the measures being taken by the health department, there is still more to be done,? Panhwar told The Express Tribune...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/1289463/korangi-malir-chikungunya-spreads-lyari/

The Express Tribune > Pakistan > Sindh
After Korangi and Malir, Chikungunya spreads to Lyari
By Our Correspondent
Published: January 10, 2017

KARACHI:
After Korangi and Malir districts reported over 360 cases of Chikungunya in the last month, the newest cases being reported are from Lyari...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/01/14/chikungunya-viral-fever-moves-to-lyari/


Chikungunya viral fever moves to Lyari
8 hours ago BY APP

The Chikungunya viral fever cases have also being reported from Lyari Town of Karachi for the last few weeks, while the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad has confirmed the presence of Chikungunya virus in Lyari as seven people are tested positive out of nine samples sent to the NIH for investigations.

Talking to PPI, Director Health Services Dr Abdul Wahid Panhwar confirmed the presence of Chikungunya viral fever in Lyari Town...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://channel24.pk/breaking-news/2017/01/17/karachi-9-cases-chikungunya-virus-emerge/

Karachi: 9 cases of Chikungunya virus emerge
Posted By: Hanzla Sajidon: 01/17/2017 - 21:20

Web Desk ? 9 cases of Chikungunya virus were discovered in Karachi on Tuesday. Patients have been admitted in Saudabad hospital for treatment, reported 24 News.

According to reports, Chikungunya virus was first diagnosed in a patient 2 months ago and since then, the disease has spread in certain parts of the city.

Blood samples of 11 patients were sent to the Islamabad National Institute of Health earlier. 11 results came positive while 2 came negative...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://dailytimes.com.pk/pakistan/19-Jan-17/chikungunya-continues-to-haunt-karachi

Chikungunya continues to haunt Karachi
Since last month 532 cases were reported from Saudabad, 41 from Lyari and 64 from Orangi Town.
Chikungunya continues to haunt Karachi
By: PPI
19-Jan-17

KARACHI: The Chikungunya viral fever continued to affect citizens in different parts of Karachi and now the viral fever cases are being reported from Orangi Town, a health official confirmed on Thursday.

Karachi Director Health Services Dr Abdul Wahid Panhwar, while talking to media, confirmed the presence of Chikungunya viral fever cases in UC-15 of Orangi Town Karachi following Saudabad and Lyari. He said these cases were reported in Urban Health Center (UHC) Orangi Town.

He informed although the intensity of Chikungunya viral fever was low in both Lyari and Orangi as compared to Saudabad, but efforts were under way to fully control the spread of viral fever in the whole city. He said the Health Services Department of Karachi has decided to launch a vector control strategy in Karachi in the light of expert opinion of entomologists and educationists...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://dailytimes.com.pk/sindh/14-Mar-17/885-chikungunya-cases-reported-in-last-4-months
?885 Chikungunya cases reported in last 4 months?
By: By Zulfiqar Kunbhar
14-Mar-17

KARACHI: 23 cases of Chikungunya have reported in first eleven days of March in Karachi, after which the total number of cases have became 885 since the first case was reported around four months ago in December 2016, official data reveals. However health experts suggest that the actual number of cases is much higher.









"Since March 01, we have received 23 suspect cases of Chikungunya," official of Sindh Health Department told Daily Times on Sunday. However, Pakistan Medical Association suggests that the actual number of cases is much higher.
In December, 2016, 405 cases, in January 359 cases and in February 98 cases were reported.
"The number of 98 cases in February were suspected whereas only 5 cases were conformed when tested from laboratory in Islamabad," said Karachi health director Dr Mohammad Taufeeq while talking to Daily Times.
According to Dr Taufeeq, the data was being collected from all public sector health hospitals and major private hospitals.
The number may seem less because there are some cases which private hospitals cater, he said. Another factor behind the 'increased number' may be is because of public unawareness as every fever is not Chikungunya...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1364901/chikungunya-engulfs-coastal-belt-karachi/


The Express Tribune > Pakistan > Sindh
Chikungunya engulfs coastal belt of Karachi
By Mudaser Kazi
Published: March 25, 2017

KARACHI:
Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral fever, has now taken over the coastal belt of Karachi after its first outbreak in Malir district last year.

Thousands of patients have flocked to the hospitals but the Sindh health department and local government have unable to provide relief to the victims. The Sindh government is still unable to test the suspected cases of Chikungunya virus, still considering it a new and unknown disease. However, the first case was tested positive in December last year when the samples were sent to Islamabad...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.emro.who.int/surveillanc...kungunya-cases-in-pakistan-13-april-2017.html
[h=2]Surveillance, forecasting and response[/h]

Update: chikungunya cases in Pakistan, 13 April 2017

13 April 2017 ? The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination of Pakistan has informed WHO of new figures for chikungunya cases reported in the country.
Between 19 December 2016 and 30 March 2017, a total of 1018 suspected cases of chikungunya have been reported in various districts in Karachi. No deaths have been reported so far.
Out of 157 samples sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad for laboratory-confirmation of diagnosis, 121 were found positive for Chikungunya virus.
WHO is working with the Ministry of Health and partners for coordinated response activities and capacity-building in the affected areas.
District and town health officers have been given instructions in taking appropriate preventive measures for Chikungunya fever. Pamphlets on how to identify and treat chikungunya fever cases have been distributed in hospitals and primary health centres in the area. Posters and advertisements have also been issued in the local languages. Lady health workers have been instrumental in running door-to-door educational campaigns to inform citizens about preventive measures.
Surveillance activities have been enhanced in places where high densities of vector (Aedes Aegypti mosquito) have been detected. In addition, appropriate vector control measures were carried out.

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://reliefweb.int/report/pakista...eak-chikungunya-balochistan-province-pakistan


WHO investigates outbreak of chikungunya in Balochistan province, Pakistan
Report
from World Health Organization
Published on 25 Apr 2017
25 April 2017 ? WHO and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination of Pakistan conducted an intensive house-to-house investigation over the past few weeks to confirm an outbreak of chikungunya fever in Balochistan province in Pakistan where it has been reported for the first time.

The investigation was carried out in response to a sudden rise in the number of cases of acute febrile illness in Gwadar city in Balochistan. The number of suspected chikungunya cases reported in Balochistan as of 19 April stands at 1962. A total of 28 blood samples have tested positive for chikungunya so far.

Pakistan?s first-ever cases of chikungunya were reported in December 2016 in Karachi city in Sindh province. Between 19 December 2016 and 14 April 2017, a total of 1419 suspected cases of chikungunya have been reported in various districts in Karachi. No deaths have been reported so far...