KARACHI: Sindh Health Department on Saturday has issued warning over the rise in dengue cases in Karachi as around 41 new dengue cases have been reported this week.
A health official said that the deadly larvae of the ailment could be multiplied if insecticide spray is not started by the administration soon.
“In the absence of spray and monsoon rains in the provincial capital, the number of dengue viral fever cases has been increased,” said Dr. Masood Solangi, Head of Dengue Cell, while talking to Daily Times.
He added that 41 new cases were reported during this week, making dengue fever patients’ toll to reach to 1108 in the city since January 1st and there are chances that the city would report more such cases in the days
to come.
Dengue is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito infected with one of four dengue virus serotypes. It is a febrile illness that affects infants, young children and adults with symptoms appearing 3-14 days after infective bite.
According to weekly report by Prevention and Control Program for Dengue in Sindh, 12 cases were reported in District Central, six in District South, one in District West, 12 in District East, and five each in District Korangi and District Malir, respectively.
Dr. Solangi while blaming the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) said no spraying by the department in the city is the main reason behind the sudden increase in the larvae of mosquito.
“We have held various meetings with KMC officials requesting them for the spray. But they did nothing citing shortage of fuel as the reason,” said Dr Solangi.
It is non-assimilating despite Rs 90 million budget of KMC for petrol,
he added.
Masood Alam, Senior Director Municipal Services, KMC, was not available to comment on this issue.
The said weekly report has disclosed that at least 47 new dengue fever cases surfaced from September 9-15 and out of them 41 were in Karachi, five in Hyderabad and one in Khairpur.
In 2016, a total of 1205 dengue fever cases were reported in Sindh since January 1st. Around 1108 cases were detected in Karachi, 34 in Hyderabad, eight in Sukkur, seven in Ghotki, six each in Larkana and Tando Muhammad Khan, five in Khairpur, four each in Mirpurkhas and Shikarpur, three each in Dadu, Tharparkar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushero Feroz and Thatta and two each in Badin, Jamshoro, Umer Kot and Sanghar.
Two deaths have also been reported from dengue fever in the province, one in Karachi and one in Shaheed Benazirabad.