Dengue fever patients number crosses 7000 in Punjab

Dengue fever epidemic is increasing rapidly in Pakistan and the total number of cases has soared to 7000 in Punjab out of which 6000 are from Lahore alone, reports said on Tuesday. Forty four deaths have been reported due to dengue fever so far. Meanwhile, 55 new cases have been reported in the Federal Capital bringing the total in Islamabad to 180. Dengue, an acute febrile disease spread by the bite of a special mosquito has been endemic in Pakistan for the last few years. It spreads most often after the rainy season in July and August when pools of standing water serve as ideal mosquito breeding spots. Dengue cases are rapidly increasing in Lahore triggering further panic among the public. 44 people have so far died from dengue fever in Punjab. Hundreds of people have been visiting government and private hospitals every day to get their blood tests done as a precaution. During such trying times, hospitals have imposed an emergency and have converted administration blocks into dengue wards. In Islamabad, emergency has been declared at all hospitals. 46 dengue patients have been admitted in public hospitals of the Federal Capital while 55 new cases have been reported overall. The Prime Minister Yusuf Raz Gillani has said that the federal government was following a comprehensive plan of action to fight dengue fever and providing necessary treatment to all patients. Addressing a conference on Dengue Response in Lahore, the prime minister said the existing and future grants from international organizations working for disease prevention would also be put at provinces’ disposal. Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari had expressed concern over the spread of the fever in the country and the loss of lives. The president directed the federal and provincial government agencies along with other authorities to take immediate measures to curb the spread of dengue. The need is also stressed for awareness among the people for prevention, control and treatment of dengue virus. The symptoms of dengue fever include high fever, severe body pain, itching and red spots, bleeding from nose and teeth and severe pain in the eyes. The precautions include proper covering of the pots having water, like buckets and drums, and using coils, mats and sprays for eliminating mosquitoes.