http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C12%5C22%5Cstory_22-12-2006_pg12_4
?Type-3 virus responsible for VHF outbreak?
KARACHI: Local researchers and microbiologists have identified Dengue Virus Type Three as the main virus responsible for the recent epidemic of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) in Karachi.
Dr Tahir Shamsi, associated with Bismillah Taqee Institute of Blood Diseases (BMTIBD), told APP Wednesday that his team worked on the blood samples of Karachi-based Dengue patients and discovered Dengue Type-Three Virus as the major type. ?The investigation report and the samples were also forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, USA, which also confirmed these results,? he said.
The BTIBD examined blood samples of 80 of its Dengue patients during November and the molecular laboratory at BTIBD studied 47 more patients reported from different parts of the country, and confirmed that apart from Dengue Type-Three, Type-Four and Type-One were also present in Pakistan.
?The most important finding is the presence of Chikungunya virus in 50 percent of patients who were negative for Dengue virus,? the senior pathologist said and added that Chikungunya, that broke out in India, had some signs and symptoms similar to Viral Hemorrhagic Fever. Dengue Viral Fever (DVF) is largely self-limiting, however, the second infection of the disease does lead to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and then even to Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), which could be fatal.
A few patients suffering from both Dengue and Chikungunya were also picked up from different hospitals in Karachi. The BTIBD has developed guidelines to treat Dengue fever. These guidelines are available in Urdu, Sindhi, Pushto and English. app
?Type-3 virus responsible for VHF outbreak?
KARACHI: Local researchers and microbiologists have identified Dengue Virus Type Three as the main virus responsible for the recent epidemic of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) in Karachi.
Dr Tahir Shamsi, associated with Bismillah Taqee Institute of Blood Diseases (BMTIBD), told APP Wednesday that his team worked on the blood samples of Karachi-based Dengue patients and discovered Dengue Type-Three Virus as the major type. ?The investigation report and the samples were also forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, USA, which also confirmed these results,? he said.
The BTIBD examined blood samples of 80 of its Dengue patients during November and the molecular laboratory at BTIBD studied 47 more patients reported from different parts of the country, and confirmed that apart from Dengue Type-Three, Type-Four and Type-One were also present in Pakistan.
?The most important finding is the presence of Chikungunya virus in 50 percent of patients who were negative for Dengue virus,? the senior pathologist said and added that Chikungunya, that broke out in India, had some signs and symptoms similar to Viral Hemorrhagic Fever. Dengue Viral Fever (DVF) is largely self-limiting, however, the second infection of the disease does lead to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and then even to Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), which could be fatal.
A few patients suffering from both Dengue and Chikungunya were also picked up from different hospitals in Karachi. The BTIBD has developed guidelines to treat Dengue fever. These guidelines are available in Urdu, Sindhi, Pushto and English. app