By Mudassar Ali Iqbal
The alarming rise in the number of dengue cases across Punjab, especially in Rawalpindi, is poised to test the limits of health sector in the days to come.
The government has already declared health emergency in Rawalpindi where six deaths due to dengue have been reported in the last few days. A number of people have been admitted to various hospitals in Rawalpindi and contiguous areas.
In the last 24 hours (Wednesday-Thursday), as many as 152 cases have been reported across Punjab. The tally has surged to 2,117 since January.
A GLOBAL BURDEN
The dreaded disease has become a global burden in the last two decades. Half of the world population is now vulnerable to the dengue fever. In 2002, nearly 500,000 cases were reported worldwide.
More than 6.5 million cases (the highest number of cases in any year) were reported across 80 countries in 2023. Around 7,300 people lost their lives after suffering from dengue virus.
Studies show that climate change, increase in global temperatures along with rainfall and humidity provide the sustainable grounds for such a massive spread of dengue fever.
WHAT IS DENGUE FEVER?
Dengue fever or break-bone fever is a viral infection caused by dengue virus (DENV). This viral infection spreads by the infected mosquito bite.
Primarily the virus spreads from the bite of female mosquito Aedes aegypti and often by Aedes albopictus (also known as tiger mosquito due to presence of white spots over its black body).
Also Read: Dengue cases on the rise in Punjab
The presence of white spots is also an identifying attribute of those mosquitoes which may cause dengue fever.
VULNERABLE PLACES
South Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions. Pakistan is one of those South Asian countries which are badly hit by the endemic of dengue. In 2021, as many as 52,929 cases and 224 dengue-related deaths were reported all over the country.
SYMPTOMS OF DENGUE FEVER
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most of the people affected with dengue do not have any symptoms or have very mild symptoms. They recover within one to two weeks. However, dengue can be severe and in certain cases may prove fatal.
Symptoms occur usually within four to 10 days of infection and last two to seven days. Some common symptoms of dengue are: high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, pain in muscles and joints, nausea, vomiting and swollen glands. Rashes on skin may also appear in some patients.
Those people who get dengue second time are at a greater risk of developing severe dengue. Usually after the fever has gone away severe dengue symptoms surface.
Severe dengue symptoms include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding from gums and nose, blood in vomiting, fatigue, restlessness, and weakness.
HOW TO TREAT DENGUE?
Unfortunately, there is no known treatment for dengue infection. Medical treatment of dengue usually focuses on treating pain symptoms.
According to the WHO, paracetamol is often used to control pain.
Dengue patients should avoid the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin because, according to experts, they can increase the risk of bleeding.
For patients with severe dengue infection, the WHO and other health authorities recommend hospitalisation.
More to Read: PMD issues dengue outbreak warning for month of October
If one gets dengue fever, it is important to have proper bed rest, plenty of liquids (water and fresh fruits juices), and paracetamol for pain. A patient should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and aspirin), and watch for severe symptoms.
CAN IT BE PREVENTED?
It is said prevention is better than cure. As there is no treatment for dengue, preventive measures should be taken to be safe.
The mosquitoes carrying dengue virus stay active during the daytime.
To lower the risk of mosquito bites, clothes covering full body should be worn. Mosquito nets should be used while sleeping. Screens on windows should be used.
Repellents, coils and vaporisers should also be used to keep the mosquitoes away.
Another way to avoid the dengue spread is to prevent the mosquito breeding. As they need special environments to breed and proliferate, efforts should be made to dispose of solid waste properly and that no space or cavity that can hold water should be left in ground or any open area.
Domestic water storage areas or tanks should be covered properly and cleaned by emptying them on a weekly basis. Insecticides should be applied or mixed in small water storages outside.
VACCINE: A RAY OF HOPE
According to the WHO, vaccine by the name of ‘QDENGA’ has been approved and licensed in some countries. But it is recommended for those between six and sixteen years.
Some other vaccines are under trial and being evaluated.
However, due to a lack of known ways of treatment of dengue, one must prevent the spread of DENV by strictly following safety measures.
It is important to take up the civic responsibility and cooperate with health authorities to prevent or minimise the impact of dengue.