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KARACHI: The recent outbreak of dengue fever confirmed the presence of all four types of dengue

viral infections in Pakistan.

Akram said that in the past they had warned the authorities about the worst possible outbreak of

dengue fever in Pakistan but this time they seemed to have been too late. Next year, the epidemic will

be even more catastrophic than it has been now, he added.

The global prevalence of dengue fever (DF) has grown dramatically in recent decades; DF is now

endemic to more than100 countries. During the past decade, DHF epidemics have occurred in China, Sri

Lanka, India, the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Pakistan

Types of Dengue in Pakistan

There are four types of Dengue, with two major types. Since 2007, two types of dengue diseases

occurred in Karachi while in 2008, another third type of Dengue disease occurred in Lahore andnow in 2011 all four types of Dengue diseases are present in Punjab province;

1. Dengue fever2. Dengue hemorrhagic fever

Dengue fever (DF): The symptoms of dengue fever are like severe, flu-like illness. DF usually

affects infants, young children and adults. DF is rarely fatal.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF): DHF is a complication of the disease that can be fatal. It

usually occurs if you have dengue infection more than once. The symptoms of DHF are similar

to DF but the condition of the patient show rapid deterioration 2-5 days after the fever starts. Ifthe disease is not severe, the signs and symptoms decrease after the fever resolves. Patients with

severe disease can unexpectedly deteriorate after a few days of fever and develop bleeding fromthe nose, gums, mouth or in the skin, which leads to purplish bruises. In some of these patients

after the fever resolves signs of circulatory failure (low blood pressure or shock) develops whichcan rapidly progress to severe shock or turn lead to death within 12 to 24 hours.

Lahore in the eyes of Dengue!

Dengue Threat: Lahore during the monsoon season

http://karachimetrological.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/lahore-rain.jpg

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This year, Punjab has seen alarming rate of Dengue cases. Overall 4,000 people have been

affected, each day at least 100 new case is registered in the Province. Almost all Dengue casesare being reported in the cultural capital almost every day. The government has once again

appealed to the world leaders for helping them eradicate the disease. Sri Lanka was the first

country to step in, the Sri Lankan government has been assisting Pakistans fight against dengue

virus, by sending 11 expert doctors to the country. Foreigners are also affected in the province,mainly Chinese engineers. In the federal capital city of Islamabad, 32 cases have been reported

while one person has died due to the dengue outbreak. Fresh monsoon rainfalls are also likely

(September 14 night) in the province that could deteriorate the situation if the authorities fail toact in time.

Dengue may not remain confined to just northern Pakistan, but it could affect the rain-hit people

of Sindh too, though reports have started coming that dengue has started in Sindh as well.

Overall 270 people have died in Sindh due to extremely heavy downpour creating large stagnant

ponds, an ideal place for mosquito breeding.

The virus is coveyed from humans to the mosquitoes and back to humans.