KARACHI: In response to latest outbreak of Chikugunya virus, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) has announced to establish new research center to stop the spread of different vector borne diseases like Chikugunya, dengue. It was announced on Tuesday, during a workshop on “Biological Waste Management and Disposal for Clinical and Research Laboratories” at Ojha Campus. The event was a joint venture of Dow Center of Excellence (COE) for Biosafety and Biosecurity and Health Security Partners, USA. The objective of the CME was to increase the understating of laboratory staff and doctors about Chikugunya infection and its prevention. Speaking on the occasion, founding Vice Chancellor, DUHS, Prof Dr Masood Hameed Khan, highlighted the role of Dow University in the prevention of infectious diseases and providing high quality diagnostic and healthcare facilities. “A new research center equipped with modern facilities would be established soon,” Prof Khan said while adding that will help to stop the spread of different vector borne diseases like Chikugunya, dengue etc. Last month, Chikungunya virus cases were confirmed in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. It was for the first time that Pakistan officially documented the cases and reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). 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. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes spread or pass on the chikungunya virus. This type of mosquito also spreads the dengue virus. According to health officials, thousands of patients are believed to be affected by Chikungunya virus since then in Karachi. Speakers including Dr Saeed Khan PhD, Associate Professor and Additional Director of DDRRL, Prof Dr Rana Qamar, Prof Dr Shaheen Sharafat and Dr Yahya Noori and others said that the recent attacks of Chikungunya have suddenly increased public awareness of the disease.