Dengue may take a turn for the worse, warns official

KARACHI: Dr M Shakeel Aamir Mullick, Focal Person for Dengue Surveillance Cell Sindh, on Monday warned that dengue viral fever may get a worse shape in the province, especially in Karachi in upcoming months if drainage system was not maintained and fumigation campaign not started across the city before 15 August.

He told PPI here that dengue viral fever may pose dangerous from 15 August to 15 October and more casualties also expected in coming months if the early preventive steps were taken.

He informed that four dengue patients have already died in Karachi this year, while 417 cases reported so far in the city, out of total 28 cases detected across Sindh province.


He said dengue is a social problem that leads to serious health hazards which could only be controlledor eliminated through joint efforts of community and government. He said fumigation alone cannot eliminate dengue but proper awareness is the only way to save people from dengue fever.

He informed that most of dengue fever cases had been reported from Gulshan-e-Iqbal, New Karachi, North Nazimabad, Orangi Town, Saddar and SITE towns this year.

Dr Mullick said skyscraper buildings, demographics changes, lack of proper disposal of garbage and open drains are main causes behind the widespread dengue fever in Karachi.

He said dengue prevalence increases from 15 August to 15 October due to the rainy season. He said there is a dire need to take safety measurements before the start of this season.

He said environmental degradation also plays an important role in spread of the dengue viral fever spread.

H said anti-dengue spraying and application of larvicides (chemicals that kill mosquito eggs and larvae) must also be done in areas where the most of cases had been reported so far.

He urged the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation administrator to expedite the ongoing fumigation drive in the city soas to counter growing incidents of dengue fever.

He said this is also a must in order to save people from any possible outbreak of monsoon-related diseases in the Karachi.


“There is every chance of dengue outbreak which may further increase in the number of dengue fever cases after the rains; therefore, fumigation must continue in pre and post monsoon phases in the city,” he said.
He advised the people keep their food items and water properly covered at homes duringfumigation in their localities.

He said stagnant water must not be allowed to stand in any part of the city and citizens should be sensitized about their role to prevent dengue disease, especially in monsoon and post-monsoon.

He stressed for joint efforts to counter the dengue disease in early stages and its further prevalence.

He underlined the need proper awareness among the masses through media in order to controlthe dengue viral fever in the city. He also applauded the role of media for highlighting the issue andappealed both print and electronic media to help in raising awareness of people about the dengue viral fever.