Dengue fever under control in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Dengue fever situation is fully under control in Rawalpindi region claimed Dr. Javed Hayat, Deptuy Medical Superintendent (DMS) Holy Family Hospital (HFH).

Talking to APP here on Monday he said that so far, this year total 36 suspected patients of dengue fever were admitted in Holy Family Hospital while there was only one patient with confirmed dengue fever who was brought to HFH.

Out of total 36 dengue fever suspected patients, medical tests of 21 patients remained negative while the report of 14 suspected patients is still awaited, he informed.

To a question he said, maximum arrangements for the medical treatment of the patients were made in Holy Family Hospital. He said all possible preventive measures should be adopted to avert dengue virus.

To a question he said that last year total 900 suspected dengue fever patients were admitted in the hospital while more than 300 patients were with confirmed dengue fever virus.

He said that the suspected patients are being brought in the hospital mainly from Attock, Chakwal and different areas of Kashmir.

Dr. Javed Hayat said dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes.

It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows other symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands and rash.

Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles, he added.

Dengue strikes people with low levels of immunity. Because it is caused by one of four serotypes of virus, it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times. However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular serotype to which the patient was exposed, he informed.

The virus is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person.

The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags, and cans year-round.

One mosquito bite can inflict the disease, he said.

The virus is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person.

Dr. Javed Hayat informed that the chance of dengue fever ends in mid of October.