More deadly outbreak of dengue fever likely this year

Cases of DSS and DHF on the rise

Rawalpindi

After confirmation of over 100 cases of dengue fever along with one death here at the three teaching hospitals in town in last two weeks, a rising threat of an outbreak of dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) seems to be haunting population in the region as the infection has a tendency to occur in shapes of epidemics and outbreaks.

Data collected by ‘The News’ has revealed that from January 1 to September 3 this year, the allied hospitals received a total of 66 confirmed cases of dengue fever including 17 cases of DHF and one case of Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), which is considered as the most fatal form of the disease with a possible mortality rate of up to 10 per cent.

However, in last two weeks, the allied hospitals received another 100 confirmed cases of dengue fever that took the total number of confirmed patients registered with the allied hospitals to 166.

The more alarming factor is that to date, a total of 61 patients have so far been detected with DHF while five with DSS of which one 18-year-old female patient died of the infection at Holy Family Hospital on September 14.

Many health experts have repeatedly expressed to ‘The News’ that the dengue fever outbreak, if occurs this time, might be more deadly and might result in severe complications including hemorrhagic manifestations and DSS.

They believe that the situation may be more alarming after a week or so when the climate would be the most suitable for transmission of dengue fever and there are chances of further increase in number of cases of DHF and DSS if proper preventive measures are not taken by both the individuals and the concerned government authorities.

It is important that dengue hemorrhagic fever is a cause of disease and death primarily among children in tropical Asia.

The dengue fever and DHF have emerged as major public health problems in Pakistan during the last few years however, according to health experts, the concerned government authorities have not done a lot that was needed to prevent and control its outbreak.

The population in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi faced the worst ever outbreak of the infection last year, in 2015 with well over 4800 confirmed cases of dengue fever.

According to health experts, factors responsible for emergence of the infection include rapid population growth, unplanned urbanization, deficiencies in water supply and solid waste management, inadequate health budgets for dengue control, expanding mosquito breeding due to unreliable water supply, traditional water storage practices, changing life styles, inadequate health education and poor garbage collection that creates more mosquito breeding places.

Experts say that it is time for individuals and government authorities to work religiously for prevention and control of dengue fever instead of following misconceptions, ignorance and myths surrounding the reality of the disease.

They say that people should be made well aware of the aspects of dengue fever and there is a need to create awareness among public on how to avoid its outbreak in their areas of residence. It is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes and there is no direct human-to-human transmission. The DHF is often severe and fatal. 

There is no vaccine and no specific treatment for dengue. Prevention centres on avoiding mosquito bites.

Experts say that the most worrisome fact is that Aedes Aegypti, the mosquito that causes dengue fever, is a daytime biter when it is difficult to sense the bite. Aedes Aegypti tends to breed inside closets, in the artificial water containers that are covered such as water storage tanks of houses and in the discarded tyres, flowerpots and old drums etc.

Dengue shows itself in shape of high fever, severe headaches, extreme joint and muscle pain – also called break-bone fever, nausea and vomiting and rash. A few victims develop DHF – bleeding from nose, gums and under the skin causing purplish bruises. The DHF is fatal in five per cent cases. Then there is Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) that can lead to circulatory failure. About 10% of such cases can be fatal. In case of high fever with bleeding symptoms, a patient should be taken immediately to the nearest hospital.

According to health experts, individuals should be aware of the fact that the elimination of mosquito-breeding sites is a key to control infection and effective vector control and measures for source reduction cannot be possible without community mobilization.

It is believed that the main thrust of dengue control should be in the households and in localities and in the current situation, individuals, families, community support groups, self-help groups, NGOs, local authorities and the department of health should work in coordination for vector control and to avoid losses.