Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2502572/chikungunya-rings-warning-bells-in-karachi
Chikungunya rings warning bells in Karachi
500 to 750 patients of chikungunya are being reported daily across major government hospitals in the city
Tufail Ahmed October 13, 2024
KARACHI:
As a province with an ailing public healthcare system, the number of seasonal epidemics hitting Sindh on a regular basis is alarming to say the least. From diarrhoea and typhoid to dengue, malaria and now chikungunya, local’s in the port city must always remain prepared for yet another outbreak.
Muhammad Asif, a patient of chikungunya, revealed that he had first developed a fever, alongside a bitter taste in his mouth and burning pain in his hands and feet. “When I reached the nearest hospital, the doctors, upon looking at the symptoms, diagnosed it as chikungunya. They gave me medicines for pain and fever while advising me to rest at home. During this time, I was unable to walk due to pain and could not work either,” shared Asif.
Similarly, Sadia Khatun, another chikungunya patient disclosed that two of her children too had acquired the disease. “We were unable to walk for several days. The disease is spreading due to the lack of timely fogging which has allowed the number of mosquitos to grow,” complained Khatun, who blamed the government for its failure to take the outbreak seriously.
According to Dr Shoaib Khan, General Physician at a private hospital in Nazimabad, at present, a large number of people in the city were suffering from chikungunya however, the high cost of its test had prevented patients from getting a proper diagnosis and hence the data could not be compiled. "Most government hospitals do not have a testing facility while poor sanitation and lack of fogging is causing the outbreak to intensify in Karachi,” claimed Dr Khan.
According to data received from major government hospitals across the city, approximately 500 to 750 suspected patients of chikungunya are being reported on a daily basis, with the majority diagnosed on the complaint of fever and knee pain, the two most conspicuous symptoms of the disease....
Chikungunya rings warning bells in Karachi
500 to 750 patients of chikungunya are being reported daily across major government hospitals in the city
Tufail Ahmed October 13, 2024
KARACHI:
As a province with an ailing public healthcare system, the number of seasonal epidemics hitting Sindh on a regular basis is alarming to say the least. From diarrhoea and typhoid to dengue, malaria and now chikungunya, local’s in the port city must always remain prepared for yet another outbreak.
Muhammad Asif, a patient of chikungunya, revealed that he had first developed a fever, alongside a bitter taste in his mouth and burning pain in his hands and feet. “When I reached the nearest hospital, the doctors, upon looking at the symptoms, diagnosed it as chikungunya. They gave me medicines for pain and fever while advising me to rest at home. During this time, I was unable to walk due to pain and could not work either,” shared Asif.
Similarly, Sadia Khatun, another chikungunya patient disclosed that two of her children too had acquired the disease. “We were unable to walk for several days. The disease is spreading due to the lack of timely fogging which has allowed the number of mosquitos to grow,” complained Khatun, who blamed the government for its failure to take the outbreak seriously.
According to Dr Shoaib Khan, General Physician at a private hospital in Nazimabad, at present, a large number of people in the city were suffering from chikungunya however, the high cost of its test had prevented patients from getting a proper diagnosis and hence the data could not be compiled. "Most government hospitals do not have a testing facility while poor sanitation and lack of fogging is causing the outbreak to intensify in Karachi,” claimed Dr Khan.
According to data received from major government hospitals across the city, approximately 500 to 750 suspected patients of chikungunya are being reported on a daily basis, with the majority diagnosed on the complaint of fever and knee pain, the two most conspicuous symptoms of the disease....