46 confirmed cases in 10 days take tally to 59

Rawalpindi
As many as 46 patients have been tested positive for dengue fever at the allied hospitals in town in last 10 days taking total number of confirmed patients so far registered at the allied hospitals to 59 and the trend is hinting at an early outbreak of the infection in the district.
Last year, in 2014, only four confirmed cases of dengue fever were reported in town till August 30 while the total number of confirmed patients till September 30 was less than 50.
Many health experts believe that the peak season for dengue fever transmission in this region of the country starts from third week of September and the early spread of the infection this year is much alarming.
Data collected by ‘The News’ has revealed that to date, a total of 35 patients have been tested positive at Holy Family Hospital while result in five probable cases of the infection is being awaited. The District Headquarters Hospital has registered six confirmed cases of dengue fever while 18 patients have so far been tested positive at Benazir Bhutto Hospital.
The HFH has tested 35 patients positive through NS1 test however so far the infection has not claimed any life, said Medical Superintendent at HFH Dr. Arshad Ali Sabir while talking to ‘The News’ on Monday.
He added that at present a total of 23 patients including confirmed patients, probable patients and suspects are undergoing treatment at dengue ward of the hospital. This year, the dengue fever outbreak has started too early, he said while responding to a query.
He explained that every year, the spread of dengue fever starts in September and the number of patients continue to rise till November in the region. Early occurrence of dengue fever outbreak may be because of multiple rain spells, however the phenomenon is alarming and there is a need of taking serious measures to control the outbreak, he added.
The DHQ Hospital received a total of six confirmed patients of dengue fever so far and all of them have been discharged after treatment, said Medical Superintendent at DHQ Hospital Dr. Khalid Randhawa while talking to ‘The News’ on Monday.
It is important that the confirmed cases of dengue fever have been reported from over 20 localities in town so far that proves the existence of ‘aedes aegypti’, the vector that causes dengue fever in different areas of both Rawal and Potohar Towns and areas falling under jurisdiction of cantonment boards.
‘The News’ tried to contact District Health Officer Dr. Rafiq Ahmed and Executive District Officer (Health) Dr. Nasir Mehmood repeatedly on Monday to know reasons behind early spread of dengue fever in the district and left messages on their cell phones in this regard but they did not make themselves available for comments.