Threat of dengue outbreak on the cards

Rawalpindi : The Department of Infectious Diseases (DID) of Rawalpindi Medical University established at Holy Family Hospital in tow has so far tested a total of five patients positive for dengue fever this year that may set a stage for a possible outbreak of dengue fever in this region of the country.

Data collected by ‘The News’ on Saturday has revealed that in April so far, a total of 68 dengue fever suspects reached HFH of which 11 were admitted to the hospital. Of 11 admitted patients, one was confirmed positive for dengue fever last week while results in 10 cases turned out to be negative. Head of DID at HFH Professor Dr. Muhammad Mujeeb Khan when contacted by ‘The News’ said the HFH has so far received a total of five confirmed dengue fever patients this year including one on April 11 while four patients were tested positive from January to March.

He added that of the five confirmed dengue fever patients, two were residents of Rawalpindi, two were from Islamabad and one from AJK. It is important that the confirmation of five patients positive for dengue fever at the HFH has brought into existence one of the most important risk factors for appearance of seasonal dengue fever, the infected traveler or native.

According to epidemiological findings, the confirmation of dengue fever patients from the district has increased the chances of a possible outbreak of the infection in the region this year too. It is worth mentioning here that the population in Rawalpindi district faced the worst-ever dengue fever outbreaks last year, in 2024 with well over 6500 confirmed cases and 11 deaths reported from the district.

Studies reveal that dengue, which is the fastest re-emerging arboviral disease in the world, imposes a heavy economic and health burden on countries, families and individual patients. In the absence of an effective drug or vaccine, the only strategic options presently available are effective case management to prevent deaths and vector control to reduce viral transmission. Accordingly, the only best method to reduce the transmission of dengue virus is to control the population of vector mosquitoes along with protection against mosquito bites. According to Principal Rawalpindi Medical College Professor Dr. Jahangir Sarwar Khan, no dengue fever patient has so far been reported at Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital this year. He added the patients tested positive for dengue fever at HFH this year had been discharged after complete cure. — Photo by Khalid Raja