PAKISTAN: Dengue fever - news reports

[Giuseppe]

PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi?
KARACHI, 1 July 2008 (IRIN) -

After a lull of six months, dengue fever has re-emerged, with the death of a 35-year-old man in Karachi. This is believed to be the first dengue fever death in Pakistan in 2008.

The assistant medical superintendent of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Syed Javed Akhtar, said the patient had ?tested positive for dengue fever?.

In 2007, at least 22 dengue deaths were reported in the country, most of them in the southern province of Sindh. Some, 2,600 people were reported to have been infected with the virus.

Dengue fever, which can sometimes take the form of the more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), is a viral disease borne by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

The re-emergence of the disease suggests a new threat of a dengue fever outbreak may hang over Karachi.

The virus traditionally poses an increased risk after the monsoon rains in July and August, when pools of water gather in many locations.

?We have complained about this many times, but nothing is done,? Kareem Ahmed, 35, a resident of Nazimabad in Karachi, told IRIN. ?Even though dengue is now a very real threat, no one does anything to prevent it,? he said.

Spraying
The mayor of Karachi, Mustafa Kamal, said: ?Spraying against mosquitoes was carried out earlier this year, during the breeding season?.

As yet, no one knows whether those measures will prove sufficient to mitigate the risk. The disease has posed an increased threat over the past two years, with virus-bearing mosquitoes present in ever larger numbers, according to hospitals in Karachi and other cities who receive cases whenever the disease strikes.

?Dengue is a vector-borne disease and the threat from it exists wherever there is a mosquito population,? said Saira Waqar, a Karachi-based physician. ?Dengue can be treated, especially if people know what symptoms to watch out for and seek medical aid,? she said.

Though awareness regarding the disease has increased, with public health campaigns run by the government, there is still a great deal of ignorance.

?My nephew got high fever and a doctor told us it was dengue fever. We then went to a `pir? (spiritual healer) and he was able to cure the child,? said Raheema Bibi, 40, a Karachi resident.

Doctors like Saira Waqr believe ?the family was lucky in this case.? Others die due to the lack of timely medical attention.

The first dengue fever death in Karachi has heightened fears the disease may strike again.

The best preventive measures are the use of mosquito nets and repellent, but more needs to be done to raise awareness.


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http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=79031
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[Shiloh]

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Source: http://thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=170127&catid=17

Dengue fever claims life in Karachi

Associated Press of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Dengue fever has re-emerged, with the death of a 35-year-old man in Karachi. This is believed to be the first dengue fever death in Pakistan in 2008.

Abbasi Shaheed Hospital AMS Syed Javed Akhtar said the patient had "tested positive for dengue fever", a private TV channel reported. In 2007, at least 22 dengue deaths were reported in the country, most of them in Sindh. Some, 2,600 people were reported to have been infected with the virus.

Dengue fever, which can sometimes take the form of more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), is a viral disease borne by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The re-emergence of the disease suggests a new threat of dengue fever outbreak which may hang over Karachi.

The virus traditionally poses an increased risk after the monsoon rains in July and August. "We have complained about this many times, but nothing is done," Kareem Ahmed, 35, a resident of Nazimabad, Karachi, said and added even though dengue is now a very real threat, no one does anything to prevent it".

Karachi Mayor Mustafa Kamal said: "Spraying against mosquitoes was carried out earlier this year, during the breeding season". As yet, no one knows whether those measures will prove sufficient to mitigate the risk.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Source: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-n.../19-Aug-2008/17-more-dengue-patients-admitted

17 more dengue patients admitted
Source: PPI submitted 5 hours 56 minutes ago

KARACHI - Seventeen more patients suspected to having contracted dengue fever were admitted in different hospitals of the city during last 48 hours, said Focal Person of Dengue Surveillance Cell Dr Shakeel Malik.
Dr Shakeel said that 32 suspected dengue patients were admitted in different government hospitals so far. Dengue fever has been confirmed in one patient while 12 patients were released after treatment, adding four dengue patients had died so far since beginning of this year.
Meanwhile experts have suggested the citizens to take preventive measures from mosquitoes? bite, as it is the best cure to protect themselves from the disease. The only precaution is cleanliness and fumigation at the places where breeding of mosquitoes could take place.
They called upon the people to avoid accumulation of water in the residential area.
Experts also advised to the inmates of the house and neighbours to take precautionary measures if there was any patient in their house or in neighbourhood.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\08\21\story_21-8-2008_pg12_8

Dengue toll rises to 289 this year

Staff Report

KARACHI: The number of patients infected with the dengue virus in Karachi is on the rise and the total is now at 289 cases, since two new dengue cases were reported in the last 24 hours.

Sindh Spokesman on Dengue and Deputy Secretary Health Dr Shakil Malik told Daily Times Wednesday that there are 25 dengue patients admitted at various public health facilities in Karachi, including 11 at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, two at Civil Hospital Karachi and two at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

The City District Government Karachi municipal services department has actively pushed the anti-mosquito fumigation campaign, covering around 70 percent of the city?s area. It is the citizen?s individual responsibility to adopt the essential preventive measures at home and to fumigate the remaining 30 percent of the city?s area, which is indoor, he said.

New dengue cases emerge almost every day from infection caused by mosquitoes breeding in closed rooms and no authority can make indoor areas free from any disease-causing elements unless the residents themselves take action, he clarified.

Stagnant water is a major causative factor of malaria and dengue fever, especially water from air-conditioning devices. People normally overlook the proper management of water dripping from air conditioners, which remains stagnant for several days. It then becomes a breeding place for mosquitoes and this should not be allowed to happen, he urged.

Dengue is a dangerous disease and only preventive measures can provide protection against mosquito-bites. People should use mosquito repellants or mosquito coils at night, advised Malik.

Various patients reported very late to major hospitals and some precious lives were lost. Family doctors should take special care of patients with high-grade fever and people should report immediately to hospital rather than staying at home with bleeding or fever, noted Malik.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\08\23\story_23-8-2008_pg12_4

Six more dengue patients in Karachi

KARACHI: Dengue Surveillance Cell Spokesperson Dr Shakil Malik said that six new patients with symptoms of the dengue virus have been hospitalized, four in the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, and two in the Civil Hospital Karachi.

He said that, so far, 26 dengue patients have been admitted to different hospitals in the city. Two in the Jinnah Postgraduate and Medical Center, two in the Civil Hospital, four in the Liaquat National Hospital, 16 in the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, and one each in the Qatar and Bantwa Memon Hospitals. ppi

 

[Shiloh]

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\08\25\story_25-8-2008_pg12_7

Pattern and severity of Dengue is changing: AKU study

Staff Report

KARACHI: Experts at the Aga Khan University Hospital examined in-house data from 2000 to 2005 and have reached the conclusion that not only were more patients reporting with Dengue but the third and most fatal stage was occurring in more cases.

?We believe that Dengue infection is now endemic in our area,? they said. ?This needs to be confirmed in larger scale prospective studies.? These findings were published in the September 2008 issue of the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association (JPMA) as ?Changing patterns and outcome of Dengue infection; report from a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan? by Mohammad Wasay, Roomasa Channa, Maliha Jumani and Afia Zafar of the departments of Neurology, Medicine, Pathology and Microbiology at the Aga Khan University. The Government of Sindh reported that 4,541 patients were admitted to Karachi hospitals with suspected dengue and 50 due to DHF during 2006 epidemic. This may be a small proportion of Dengue infection in the province of Sindh.

Their aim was to identify how to predict the outcome in patients with Dengue Infections at a tertiary care hospital and to analyze that if pattern of Dengue infection was changing in the past two years. They reviewed 225 cases of confirmed dengue virus infection. From 2000 to 2004 30 patients came with Dengue Fever, the first phase. By 2005, this number went to 107. The numbers rose similarly for the second and third stages of Dengue.

These findings are suggestive of a change in the pattern and outcome of Dengue at AKU, they wrote, while urging that larger data sets from all around the country are needed to comment on the pattern of Dengue in Pakistan.

Dengue infection was first documented in 1982 from the Punjab in 12 patients out of a sample of 174 from samples collected in 1968 and 1978. The first reported outbreak of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever in Pakistan was in 1994. In 1997, an AKU team reported 145 cases with Dengue fever. Out of these, 45% patients had haemorrhagic signs and one patient died. During the same time period, another group from AKU, reported data of 76 patients with 59% positive for Dengue-2 antibodies. During the same period, another group reported 30 paediatric or child patients with positive antibodies against D-1 and D-2 from Civil Hospital, Karachi. A recent study reported an isolation of Dengue-3 virus from 2005 epidemic.

In the current study, the 225 cases of confirmed dengue virus infection were admitted to the AKUH between 2000 and 2006. The diagnosis was confirmed by WHO standards in addition to clinical features of Dengue infection (fever and any two of these findings: headache, myalgia, petechie, arthralgia, rash and leucopenia). Patients were classified into Dengue Fever, Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome based on WHO classifications. Out of the total, the majority (184 patients) were seen during the time period between 2005 and 2006. However, sporadic cases, 41 patients (18.2%) were admitted between the years 2000 to 2004.

According to the WHO classification (from all 225 cases), 137 (61%) had Dengue Fever (DF), 81 (36%) had Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and 7(3%) had Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). Between years 2000-2004, 30(73%) had DF, 10(24%) had DHF and 1(2.4%) had DSS while after 2005, 107(58%) had DF, 71(39%) had DHF and 6(3%) had DSS.

The age of our patients ranged from 4 months to 90 years with an average of 29 years. There were 150 males and 75 females and among them 17(7.6%) were children (12 years or below). Approximately 87% of these patients were admitted during the winter season from October to December. The average delay in diagnosis was 2.3 days with a range of 0-7 days. All cases presented with fever (100%) and a majority also had an accompanying viral syndrome with headache (87%) and abdominal pain (27%). Systemic haemorrhagic manifestations were observed in 54% patients including petechiae (36%), epistaxis (18%) and gastro intestinal bleeding (9%). An unusual clinical feature, not reported in the previous epidemic in this region, was neurological involvement seen in twelve (5.4%) of the dengue patients. The neurological manifestations were altered level of consciousness (i.e. disorientation, lethargy, agitation or coma) in seven, seizures in five, neck rigidity and decerebration in two each, and hemiplegia/paresis in four.

The experts also reported abnormal laboratory findings in the patients such as abnormally low sodium levels in 60 (27%), too much acid in 17(7.6%), blood clotting problems in 12 (5.3%) and deranged liver function tests in 120(53.3%).

A total of 217(97%) patients recovered fully by the time of discharge and had no conditions at one week of follow up. Six patients (2.6%) expired, one was in a vegetative state at the time of discharge while one left against medical advice and was lost to follow-up. Presence of shock, coma at presentation and seizures were important predictors of mortality.

The AKU experts concluded that the overall incidence of Dengue cases admitted to their hospital increased in the last three years. Though most cases were admitted during the winter season Dengue cases are seen all year round and this has been the trend for the last five years.

Another concern they was that they have seen more severe forms of Dengue infection in last two years as compared to 2000-2004. In the recent years they have observed more patients with DHF and DSS.

They also cautioned that overall mortality at their institution was comparable to international data but it may be high in other parts of country. ?Most of the hospitals in the country do not have the laboratory facility available for sero-diagnosis of Dengue infection,? they said. ?Non availability of platelets, intensive care monitoring and ventilators may contribute to increased mortality in rural areas of the country (75% of country).?

Despite the benign nature and low mortality related to Dengue infection, the disease is perceived as a serious condition among people. One study from Karachi (unpublished data) reported that 76% people were aware of dengue infection and perceive it as a serious disease. This is probably why most people go to hospital quickly when they develop a viral syndrome during dengue season. For most patients coming at Aga Khan University Hospital, the diagnosis was established within three days of onset of symptoms. Public perception of dengue needs to be clarified by educating the media and people.

 

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Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Source: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=79965

PAKISTAN: Ramadan could boost dengue risk, warn experts

KARACHI, 25 August 2008 (IRIN) - Last week when Ghazi Khan, 19, was brought to the government Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) complaining of high fever, aches and nausea, his older brother Mohammad Zaman feared he would die.

"He showed classic symptoms of dengue fever," he told IRIN. Khan works as a gardener in a plant nursery in the southern port city of Karachi, and, according to his brother, usually works well after sunset.

Dengue, also known as ?breakbone fever? is caused by a virus vectored by the aedes aegypti and albopictus mosquito. Human transmission occurs when a mosquito feeds on an infected person's blood and bites a healthy person.

According to news reports, the number of dengue patients in Karachi this year has risen to 287 - of which four have died. Last year, some 22 deaths were reported in Sindh Province. This is the fourth consecutive year dengue has spread in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. According to experts, all four serotypes of dengue are present in the metropolis.

S.M. Munir, professor of medicine at JPMC, says there was no reason to sound the alarm bells since the number of patients this year compared to last year has been lower. However, there was no reason to be complacent, Munir said.

"There has been less rain, less water standing and less heat, so the mosquitoes have not found a conducive atmosphere to breed," he said. "The numbers may increase as this is just the start of the season."

Ramadan risk
There is another factor. The holy month of Ramadan, observed by Muslims as a month of fasting, is approaching. During Ramadan, people often get together before sunrise and at sunset, to break their fast or have their last meal before starting to fast. "The chances of infection spreading are more because of this," said Syed Abdul Mujeeb, who supervises JPMC's blood bank.

"Ramadan will provide an opportunity for the spread of the disease if we do not take measures now," Mujeeb said.

He said the increased number of people going to mosques during Ramadan at sunset and sunrise increased the risk of dengue fever as the aedes mosquito bites most often at these times. "Because many will use the mosque pond for ablutions and those fasting will also be drinking more water, the message that water needs to be covered, has to be repeated often," he said.

Back at the hospital?

Back at the hospital, a worried Muhammad Zaman, Ghazi Khan's brother, asked, "Is his life in danger?" He said he had heard of patients dying of bleeding. This is described by doctors as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which is often fatal.

"When they brought him here, his platelet count had gone down to 26,000," said Perveen Akhtar, head nurse in Ward 7 where Ghazi Khan was admitted. "But after supportive therapy that included injecting fluids intravenously to prevent dehydration, and a lot of rest, his platelet count increased to 70,000 and his fever has also gone down," said Akhtar. She had seen quite a few cases of DHF last year, and the year before that, and agreed it was quite disquieting.

Khan and two other patients suspected of suffering the viral disease stay inside a medicated mosquito repellant bed net as a precaution to prevent others patients from catching the virus.

Optimism

But Munir, who has worked at the hospital for the past 30 years, is optimistic. "Dengue is a self-limiting disease. In 80 percent of cases people do not develop any symptoms. Even for those who develop haemorrhagic fever, it is curable if people come for treatment at an early stage and don't wait till they are on their death bed," he said.

"Dengue is not synonymous with death," said Mujeeb, who is part of the dengue task force established by the hospital. "If the platelet count is monitored and the patient transfused in very dire cases, then there is little to worry about."

Children are more susceptible to the disease, but more fatalities occur among adults ?because of pre-existing problems, especially if a person is suffering from other chronic or debilitating diseases," said Mujeeb.

He also said those infected with one serotype of the virus are at a greater risk of DHF if they suffer a second infection with a different serotype.

Climate is a major factor for the dengue epidemic, said Mujeeb. The mosquito breeds in still, clean water and a humid climate. Karachi offers it the perfect conditions to propagate, he said.

He believed a strong surveillance system and an aggressive anti-mosquito campaign could keep the country free of the disease. For this, Mujeeb said, empty plots and unoccupied houses - which remain unkempt and where weeds are allowed to grow - can provide an ideal breeding ground for the mosquito, even those that carry malaria.

"This is a largely man-made crisis," he said. He was referring to stagnant water due to poor drainage, water in flowerpots and earthenware jars, even water that collects in toilet bowls.

Overcrowding
But more than that, it is rural-urban migration that has led to the spread of dengue, with people living in over-crowded homes, making it easy for the mosquito to bite an infected person and transmit the virus to a healthy one, say specialists.

Shoaib Mir, executive director of JPMC, said the city authorities were active with their fumigation campaigns, which had helped nip the disease in the bud.

The JPMC has a contingency plan if the disease spreads. "Apart from four general wards that can accommodate dengue patients, we have 250 medicated mosquito nets and a ward exclusively for dengue patients if there is an outbreak," said Mir.

And for the first time, the government has invested in a mega platelets machine (cell separator) for patients at Karachi's Civil Hospital, raising hopes that dengue deaths this year will be limited.

ze/at/cb
PAKISTAN: Ramadan could boost dengue risk, warn experts

 

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Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\09\03\story_3-9-2008_pg12_10

Five more dengue patients confirmed in metropolis

KARACHI: Dengue fever has been confirmed in five more patients admitted in various hospitals of the metropolis during the last 24 hours, said Focal Person of Dengue Surveillance Cell Dr Shakeel Malik on Tuesday, Sept 2.

Dr Shakeel said that eight more patients with dengue fever symptoms were admitted in different hospitals, and of them five were confirmed with dengue fever. He said that during the last 24 hours another five patients were released after complete recovery.

He also said that around 41 suspected dengue patients were still admitted in various hospital of the metropolis and that Five more dengue patients confirmed in metropolis

KARACHI: Dengue fever has been confirmed in five more patients admitted in various hospitals of the metropolis during the last 24 hours, said Focal Person of Dengue Surveillance Cell Dr Shakeel Malik on Tuesday, Sept 2.

Dr Shakeel said that eight more patients with dengue fever symptoms were admitted in different hospitals, and of them five were confirmed with dengue fever. He said that during the last 24 hours another five patients were released after complete recovery.

He also said that around 41 suspected dengue patients were still admitted in various hospital of the metropolis and that dengue fever has been confirmed in 123 patients since January 2008, including a minor boy from Mirpurkhas.

 

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Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=133959

15 new patients with dengue symptoms hospitalised
Friday, September 05, 2008
Karachi

Sindh Health Minister Dr Saghir Ahmed has said that 461 dengue patients were admitted to different hospitals of the province this year, and the number of confirmed dengue patients now totalled 126.

Dr ahmed said that 15 new patients with dengue symptoms were admitted in different hospitals during the last 48 hours: eight in Abbassi Shaheed Hospital (ASH), five in Ziauddin Hospital and one in Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), while 14 patients were discharged after complete recovery.

The minister said that presently 45 dengue fever patients were admitted in different hospitals of Sindh: two in Aga Khan Hospital, seven in Liaquat National Hospital, two in Civil Hospital Karachi, 10 in Dr Ziauddin Hospital, three in Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), two in the National Institute of Blood Diseases, 13 in the Abbassi Shaheed Hospital, one in Zainab Panjwani Hospital Karachi, and two in Sindh Government Qatar Hospital.

He said that one patient was admitted in the LUMHS Jamshoro, one in Isra Hospital Tando Muhammad Khan, one in Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=134011

NIH confirms presence of dengue virus in Haripur
By by Our correspondent
9/5/2008

HARIPUR: National Institute of Health Islamabad has confirmed blood samples of a woman, died last week in Abbottabad, as Dengue-positive, official sources at the District Headquarter Hospital told The News here Thursday.

The local health authorities have confirmed the report of blood samples of four suspected patients as Dengue-positive while according to independent sources, the mosquito-borne disease has claimed seven lives in Khanpur area in the last one month.

The Dengue virus was first detected from village Mehri, a neighbouring village of Hattar when nine people, including a cadet, were killed and several others hospitalised in 2003. The disease has since then been constantly reported from the villages of Hattar, Shadi, Pind Gujran, Rani Wah, Chach, Bareela, Khanpur and Khoe Nara, claiming reportedly over 30 lives.

During the last year, 15 casualties were reported from these villages alone while the Dengue virus reportedly killed seven, out of which one was confirmed as Dengue-positive as, according to health sources, the investigation report of her blood samples was received by the executive district officer health the other day and that was Dengue-positive.

The woman named Amina Bibi, daughter of Iqbal of Tanawal Mohra Chach, was brought to Haripur DHQ hospital with high-grade fever and other allied symptoms of Dengue fever. She was referred to Ayub Medical Complex Abbottabad where she died last week.

According to independent sources, seven villagers so far died during the last months were reportedly having the high-grade fever, vomiting, back ach, head ach and watering eyes with redness.

Dr Idrees, the Haripur EDO health, when approached for comments also confirmed Dengue virus in the said villages of Khanpur and said last year there were over 40 Dengue-positive cases out of which 15 died. ?This year alone we have received only four positive cases out of which one died at Abbottabad,? he added. Idrees, however, declined to confirm that the rest of six people died of Dengue virus as all the said deaths, according to him, occurred in other hospitals.

 

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Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=134928
17 new suspected dengue cases reported
By By our correspondent
9/10/2008
Karachi

Around 17 new suspected dengue cases were reported from different parts of the city on Tuesday.

Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed in a statement said that during the last 24 hours, the number of suspected dengue cases have increased up to 49 while 18 patients have been discharged. He said that so far, a total of 515 patients with signs of the dengue fever were brought at different hospitals. Out of these, 145 were confirmed cases of dengue fever. The minister said that he had issued instructions to all district hospitals to provide free treatment to such patients. Besides, the patients should be provided the facilities of screening platelets without any charges.

He said that eight suspected dengue patients were admitted in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and at Dr Ziauddin Hospital while one patient was brought at Jinnah Post-Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) on Tuesday.

 

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Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Re: _|PAKISTAN: Dengue fever threat in Karachi? |_

Source: http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52879&Itemid=2

16 new patients suspected of Dengue fever brought to hospitals

KARACHI, Sept 16 (APP)- Giving latest position about Dengue fever the Provincial Health Minister, Dr Saghir Ahmed said on Saturday that so far 598 patients suspected of having Dengue fever have been brought to various hospitals in the Province and 172 stood positive.

During the last 24 hours, he said, 16 new patients were brought to various hospitals in Karachi and with this the number of patients admitted on Dengue suspicion has risen to 52.

Dr Saghir said 8 patients have been discharged during the last 24 hours.

He reiterated that all District hospitals in the Province have been clearly directed not to recover charges of any kind from patients with dengue fever and such patients be provided free screening facility and plateletts.

The Minister said that of the 16 new patients brought during the last 24 hours, 6 were admitted in Abbasi Shaheed, 2 in Liaquat National Hospital, 6 in Ziauddin and 2 in National Institute of Blood Diseases.

 

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Re: PAKISTAN: Dengue fever - news reports

Measures against dengue fever ordered

Karachi

Sindh Minister for Labour Amir Nawab Khan has directed officials to take precautionary measures on an emergency basis at all the hospitals of Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI) against dengue fever besides ensuring provision of proper cleanliness and healthcare facilities. This he said while presiding over a meeting of officials, held at his office on Tuesday to raise awareness about dengue fever among the employees of the SESSI.


Karachi

Around 16 suspected dengue fever cases were reported from different parts of the city on Tuesday, bringing total number of admitted patients to 52, according to govt spokesman. Around six patients were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, equal number to Dr. Ziauddin Hospital and two each to Liaquat National Hospital and National Institute of Blood Diseases. So far around 598 suspected dengue fever cases have been reported in the city. Out of which, 172 were confirmed cases of dengue.:tiphat: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=136351

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: PAKISTAN: Dengue fever - news reports

Dengue virus-affected patients reach 35 in SW Pakistan ]English Xinhua]

Dengue virus-affected patients reach 35 in SW Pakistan

www.chinaview.cn 2008-09-22 00:20:30

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) --

The number of dengue virus-affected persons reached 35 in various parts of Balochistan in southwestern Pakistan, health sources said Sunday.


The private NNI news agency quoted sources as saying that up to35 people were brought to hospitals in Quetta, the provincial capital, which were found dengue virus positive.

They said that most of the patients belong to Qilla Saifullah, Loralai and Musa Khel near the Pakistani-Afghan border.

About 21 persons were killed in 2005 due to dengue virus in northeast of the province.

Editor: yan
--
​

<cite cite="http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-09/22/content_10088604.htm">Dengue virus-affected patients reach 35 in SW Pakistan_English_Xinhua</cite>

 

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Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\09\25\story_25-9-2008_pg7_13

699 suspected dengue cases admitted to date

Staff Report

KARACHI: The total number of patients suspected to have dengue has increased to 699 on Wednesday, of which 202 cases have been confirmed, said Sindh Deputy Secretary Health and Focal person for dengue Dr Shakil Malik.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed has said that six more patients with dengue symptoms were admitted to different hospitals of the metropolis during the last 24-hours. ?Five were admitted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and one to Dr Ziauddin Hospital, while fifteen dengue suspected patients were sent home after proper medical treatment,? he said.

Forty patients with dengue are still in hospitals, with 19 in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH), two in Liaquat National Hospital, two in Civil Hospital Karachi, nine in Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi and three in Dr Ziauddin Hospital, added Dr Malik.

The City District Government Karachi (CDGK) Focal person on dengue Dr Aslam Pervez told Daily Times that 11 suspected dengue cases were reported on Wednesday with symptoms of high-grade fever. ?The CDGK?s dengue cell established in ASH has provided 240 bag of platelets, free of cost, to dengue patients. Each bag costs Rs 9,800 in the open market,? he said, adding that the rapid test (dengue test) which cost Rs 300 or Rs 400 in private diagnostic laboratories is being done free of cost at the CDGK-established dengue cell at ASH and Sindh Government Hospital, New Karachi. So far the two centres have done 300 and 100 tests respectively.

 

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Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=138634

Dengue back with a vengeance in the region
Monday, September 29, 2008
by Muhammad Qasim

Rawalpindi

Dengue fever is back really with a vengeance in this region of the country as eight cases of the infection have been tested positive in village Basal, tehsil Jund by National Institute of Health, Islamabad, while hundreds other are being suspected of the disease in the area.

?Confirmation of eight positive cases within one week in tehsil Jund of district Attock has convinced us to believe in recurrence of the disease outbreak,? said District Health Officer Attock Dr Sultan Mehmood Khan while talking to ?The News? Sunday adding the situation is more alarming as one of the suspected patients is found in advance stage of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.

The severity of the problem can be gauged from the fact that today, on holiday, more than 150 suspects of the infection have undergone a thorough medical check-up for dengue fever at the camps established for surveillance of the disease in district Attock, some 85 kilometres from here.

?We have established four medical camps one each in village Basal, village Thatta, village Bomail and Pind Sultani after receiving confirmation reports from the NIH yesterday (Saturday),? said Dr Sultan adding the DHO office has already formed teams for surveillance.

?Another cause of great concern is that the dengue infection is not being caused by the bite of female mosquito ?Aedes Aegypti? rather it is female mosquito ?Aedes Alba Pectus? that is spreading infection in the area,? said Dr Sultan while responding to a query.

After establishing medical camps for checking-up and treating suspects of the infection, Dr Sultan requested Principal Rawalpindi Medical College Professor Dr Mohammad Mussadiq Khan for assistance. Dr Mussadiq forwarded the case to Professor of Medicine at RMC and Head of Medical Unit at Benazir Bhutto Hospital Dr Shoaib Shafi who sent a team comprising Assistant Professor Dr Shahzad Anwar and Dr Habib-ur-Rahman to the area on Sunday.

?The team screened well above 120 suspects of the disease in the four camps and referred a number of patients to District Headquarters Hospital, Attock,? said Dr Sultan adding the team has referred one case to the BBH, Rawalpindi, after finding that he has developed hemorrhagic manifestations of dengue fever. ?Kamran, aged around 20, a resident of Basal has been suspected of being in advance stage of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.?

The dengue fever is an acute flu-like condition, which affects people of all ages and can often be fatal. Its second form, the DHF is an even more dangerous, and lethal form of dengue. The two are essentially forms of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs) ? a group of illnesses caused by a distinct family of viruses, transmitted to humans by an infected female mosquito. The mosquito has the capability and the capacity to host various viruses such as the dengue fever virus (known as the arbovirus that is predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks), Chikungunya (a much rarer form of viral fever) virus and the yellow fever virus.

One must point out here that it is the mosquitoes that become infected with the virus when they bite infected humans. Dengue is infectious, with the first symptoms occurring during initial five to seven days after being bitten by the infected mosquito. It is characterised by a sudden onset of high fever accompanied by severe headaches, muscle and joint ache, nausea and vomiting as well as rashes. The dengue rash is usually bright red in colour, occurring initially on the lower limbs and the chest and in some cases which then spreads to most of the body. Some cases also involve loss of appetite and the ability to taste things.

To a query, Dr Sultan said that most of the cases reaching medical camps were with complaints of high-grade fever, vomiting, severe pains and pains around eyes. ?Many of the patients were complaining of a bone-breaking fever, with a feeling as they have broken their bones,? said Dr Sultan.

In a fear of having a severe outbreak in the area, Dr Sultan requested the federal Director General Health Dr Rasheed Khan Juma yesterday (on Saturday) for assistance who sent Entomologist from National Malaria Control Programme Dr Mukhtar Sunday for study and advise to the district health office.

?Today Dr Mukhtar informed us that the vector causing dengue in areas of Attock is female mosquito ?Aedes Alba Pectus? and not ?Aedes Aegypti?,? said Dr Sultan adding Dr Sultan also advised internal residual fogging (in homes) for prevention and control of the disease. ?The expert believes that ?Aedes Aegypti? causes dengue fever in areas of Sindh while in hilly areas and in plateau like Attock, the vector causing infection is ?Aedes Alba Pectus?.?

To a query, Dr Sultan said that teams under supervision of Attock Executive District Officer (Health) have already done thermal fogging in high-risk areas of district Attock within last week, ?However we are now planning for residual fogging in the high-risk areas.? He added that clinical management and surveillance would continue till elimination of the disease from the area.

 

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Re: PAKISTAN: Dengue fever - news reports

Ten more dengue suspected patients admitted in city hospitals
Thursday, October 09, 2008

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Health Dr. Saghir Ahmed has said that although dengue fever is a serious ailment but preventive measures could save us from it.

In a statement here on Wednesday, Minister said that government had taken special measures to prevent masses from this dangerous disease but people should also take preventive steps.

Dr. Saghir informed that Civil Hospital Karachi and Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad had been selected for a centre of treatment to the dengue fever patients while mega platelet machines have been installed at CHK besides Larkana and Nawabsha civil hospitals.

Regarding current situation of dengue fever, Minister said that 10 more suspected dengue patients were admitted in different hospitals of the city during last 24hours while 14 patients have been discharged after complete treatment, adding that number of dengue suspected patients had reached to 828 so far since beginning of this year, of 261 case have confirmed with dengue fever in Sindh.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=57324

 

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Re: PAKISTAN: Dengue fever - news reports

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\10\12\story_12-10-2008_pg11_1

Dengue fever proved fatal this year

* Five of 34 patients admitted to allied hospitals died during last two-and-half months

By Terence J Sigamony

RAWALPINDI: The dengue fever has proved fatal this year, as from August to-date five of 34 dengue fever patients have died at the allied hospitals in the city. According to the data collected by Daily Times from Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Hospital (BBSH), Holy Family Hospital (HFH) and District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, four people died at HFH and one at BBSH, while only two patients were brought to DHQ Hospital and they were discharged after treatment.

HFH Additional Medical Superintendent (AMS) Dr Nasir Mehmood told Daily Times that total 13 patients were brought to HFH from the beginning of August to-date. He said of them National Institute of Health (NIH) tested nine patients positive and four negative. Four patients died at the hospital and eight were discharged after treatment while one patient is under treatment, he added.

Those who died at HFH included Shahzad, 37, a resident of Mirpur, Gul Rahim, 37, a resident of Khyaban-e-Sir Syed, Nasir Ahmed, 13, from Haripur and Arshad Mehmood, 35, a resident of Islamabad, he said, adding, they have sent blood sample of one patient admitted to the hospital to NIH for laboratory tests.

Bashir Malik, spokesman for BBSH, said during last two-and-half-months 19 patients were brought to the hospital and of them five were tested positive, one died and 15 were discharged. He said three patients including Surriya Begum, 50, a resident of Kahuta, Shahnaz Bibi, 32, a resident of Khana Pul Rawalpindi and Seema Bibi, 22, a resident of Dhoke Hassu were still under treatment at the hospital.

During this period two patients were brought to DHQ Hospital and they were discharged after treatment. Of them Muhammad Imtiaz, 40, an employee of Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Kahuta, was tested positive while Noor Begum was tested negative.

DHQ Hospital AMS Dr Fayyaz Ahmed told Daily Times that last year nine suspected dengue fever patients were admitted to Rawalpindi General Hospital (RGH), now renamed as BBSH, but only two of them were tested positive, while of eight suspected cases of Congo virus only one was tested positive.

The outbreak of dengue fever alarmed Pakistan some two years back. The infection started in June 2006 in Sindh province and later spread to Punjab and federal capital.

In 2006, NIH tested nearly 3,000 positive cases of dengue fever, which claimed more than 35 lives at hospitals. However, no data was available regarding unreported deaths in far-flung areas of the country, especially Balochistan. Talking to Daily Times, HFH Senior Registrar Dr Zahid Minhas said dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever were caused by the bite of female mosquito ?Aedes Aegypti?. He said people should use proper preventive ways and means to protect themselves from mosquito bite.

He said the infectious disease was manifested by a sudden onset of fever, with severe headache, muscle and joint pains and rashes. The dengue rashes are characteristically bright red and usually appear first on the lower limbs and the chest; in some patients they cover most of the body, he added.

Minhas said patients with 104 degree Fahrenheit or more temperature and with platelets count reduced to 100,000 were admitted to the hospital as suspected cases of the disease. ?The platelets count for normal human ranges from 150,000 to 400,000,? he said. He said patients with the history of gastrointestinal bleeding, genitourinary bleeding, epistaxis (nasal bleeding) or purpura (bleeding from gums) were also admitted to hospital as dengue fever suspects.

 

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Re: PAKISTAN: Dengue fever - news reports

Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=140632

Experts fear outbreak of dengue fever
By Muhammad Qasim
10/12/2008

Rawalpindi

Healthcare facilities including allied hospitals in town have been reporting registration of significant number of dengue fever suspects consistently for more than a month strengthening further doubts of health experts that the infection might take shape of an outbreak.

Within past one week, the allied hospitals have received as many as six suspects of the infection from scattered areas of the town and well from outside tehsil Rawalpindi. Of the six suspected cases, three have already been tested positive by National Institute of Health, Islamabad, confirming the very existence of Aedes Aegypti, the female mosquito that causes dengue fever. It also proves that the vector causing infection could not be controlled so far.

?Benazir Bhutto Hospital has received a total of four suspects of dengue fever within this week of which one, Surrayya, aged 50 years, has been tested positive by the NIH so far,? said focal person for dengue fever at the BBH Dr Bashir Malik while talking to ?The News? Saturday adding two other suspects namely Seema and Shahbaz along with Surrayya are presently admitted at Officers Ward of the hospital in isolation for treatment.

The BBH has sent blood sample of Shahbaz to the NIH on Friday for dengue serology. Shahbaz, who is a resident of Khanna Pul, Rawalpindi, reached the hospital on Thursday with high-grade fever, hematuria (bleeding in urine), diarrhoea and with decreased platelets count. His platelets count was recorded at 122,000. Platelets count for a normal person ranges from 150,000 to 400,000.

Dengue fever is characterised by symptoms including sudden onset of fever, headache, rashes, nausea, vomiting, generalised weakness and fatigue, Myalgias (muscular pains), Orthalgias (pains in joints of body) and rigors (severe feeling of cold).

Seema, aged 20 years, who belongs to Dhoke Hassu, reached the BBH on October 7 with complaints of high-grade fever with chills, vomiting and decreased platelets count. Surrayya, a resident of tehsil Kahuta, reached the BBH on October 8 with fever and decreased platelets count. The BBH has also sent blood sample of another male patient to the NIH for dengue serology.

The Holy Family Hospital, on the other hand, has received two suspects of the disease within this week. ?Arshad s/o Waris Khan, aged 36, reached hospital on October 5 from Fatehjang, however, he left the hospital against medical advice (LAMA) while Tahira, aged 30 years, who is a resident of tehsil Jund, Attock has been undergoing treatment in the Medical ICU of the hospital since October 4,? said the HFH chief Dr Syed Abid Husain Shah while talking to ?The News? Saturday adding the two cases have been tested positive by the NIH.

It is important that dengue fever has hit scattered areas in this region of the country and is proving itself more fatal than the last spike as of a total of eleven suspected patients of the infection ? registered at the HFH within past one-and-a-half months ? four have lost their lives.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, a more acute form of dengue, has a five per cent mortality rate though this may increase if the cases are not properly handled and treated. Also, according to a WHO report, people at a higher risk for dengue transmission are children, travellers and tourists, whereas adults residing in endemic areas are also susceptible to contracting the disease.

District Headquarters Hospital, however, has received no suspected case of the infection as yet. ?We have established a dengue cell at the hospital, however, we have

registered no case of the infection so far,? the DHQ Hospital chief Dr Khalid Iqbal Malik informed ?The News? Saturday.

 

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Re: PAKISTAN: Dengue fever - news reports

Source: http://www.sindhtoday.net/health/27994.htm

Reports of dengue-like cases in north Gujarat
Oct 13th, 2008 | By Sindh Today

Palanpur (Gujarat), Oct 13 (IANS) Health officials in north Gujarat are taking preventive measures after two people died in recent weeks following dengue-like symptoms even as more and more similar cases were reported.

?The deceased, Vishnubhai Nai from Visanagar, must have carried the virus from Surat from where he had come,? said Nayan Jani, chief district health officer (CDHO) of Mehsana district.

?We have been taking preventive measures to check the disease. Spreading awareness about this dreaded disease can be the real preventive step,? he said Monday.

Sabarkantha CDHO F.H. Patel said: ?Shobham Sharma, 9, died of reported dengue but the report submitted by our investigative team on Sunday has not confirmed the disease.?

Sources in the Patan health department said a case of suspected dengue was notified at a private hospital of Deodar taluka in Banaskantha district.

According to Banaskantha malaria officer N.G. Bhalakiya, five cases of suspected dengue had come to light so far in the district but it was difficult to confirm them as the tests were carried out at private laboratories.

?There is, however, no let up in our preventive steps. We have pressed into service two teams each headed by a medical officer and comprising 18 members. Cleanliness drives and spraying pesticides in the affected localities are on,? said Bhalakiya.