Daily Times

KARACHI: If official figures of mosquito-borne viral disease Chikungunya in Karachi are calculated that sums around 50 ‘suspected’ cases per each day in April so far. The figures seems very unrealistic while comparing independent mainly on hospital based, the figures comes out in thousands.

According to Director Health Services Karachi, so far in April 896 suspected cases were reported in Karachi. In addition, total cases in 2017 stand at 1639.

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.

In December 2016, Pakistan first time officially reported the outbreak of Chikungunya to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly a week after the confirmation of three Chikungunya cases reported in Karachi’s Malir area. The samples were taken from Malir’s Saudabad Hospital.

The samples were taken from Malir’s Saudabad Hospital. The authorities were in state of denial for week long period earlier.

The cases are being reported from North Karachi, Surjani Town, Sindhi Hotel, Al-Asif, Lyari, Mehmoodabad, Azam Town and Korangi.

Unlike official figures, one hospital at Godhra Muslim Medical Centre & Charitable Hospital New Karachi tell very different story.

“On average we are dealing more than 1,000 suspected new cases in emergency at our healthcare facility,” said Dr Muhammad Shukat, Administrator Godhra Muslim Medical Centre & Charitable Hospital New Karachi.

“We have witnessed sharp increased of Chikungunya cases in lat two months. Last Sunday, more than 4,000 cases were brought of Chikungunya cases during our camp,” Dr Shukat added.

The reason could be attributed to the expansion is drinking water and poor sewage system, Dr Shukat added. Authorities are paying no attention in lifting the garbage, Dr Shukat added.

Although it expands from mosquito, but the disease has become epidemic, Dr Shukat said.

However Karachi health director Dr Mohammad Taufiq denies that. “Looking at our official figures we can’t call it epidemic,” he said.

He denied the healthcare facilities claims regarding Chikungunya figures and these were being ‘exaggerated’.

Putting all the blame on Karachi Municipal Corporation, he said it was KMC’s responsibility for fumigation and garbage collecting.

“Health department was in contact with the municipal authorities to start fumigation in various areas of Karachi to eliminate the mosquitoes and prevent people from mosquito-borne diseases including dengue and Malaria,” Dr. Taufiq added.

He urged people to take precautionary measures, prevent themselves and their children from mosquitoes by using repellents, improving sanitation conditions in their residential areas and adopt other preventive measures to protect themselves against the mosquitoes”, he advised.

Shafiq Tanoli, a councilor from Union Council 3, Azam Town admits that due to unavailability of spray, disease has spread in his area.

“We have asked our superior authorities for several times, but nobody is payingattention ,” said Shafiq who himself was a victim to Chikungunya along with his family members.