- 2011 dengue outbreak in Pakistan
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Dengue fever is increasingly becoming an epidemic in Pakistan. Due to the high cost of treatment, the disease spread more rapidly in 2011 than in previous years. It has attracted the attention of the Government of Pakistan, especially the Punjab Government since it is widespread in that particular province of the country.[1] As of November 2011, it has killed over 300 people in the last several months and over 14,000 are infected by this mosquito born disease. Majority of the people infected are from the Lahore area in Punjab, Pakistan.
Contents
Death and casualties
In November 2010, more then 21,204 people were reportedly infected.[2] Those infected are mainly from Punjab, Pakistan. Patients are primarily admitted to government hospitals. For dengue patients, special wards have being arranged. The severity of the disease is felt in Lahore, the provincial metropolis of Punjab. Early reports showed that more then 170 people have died and several hundreds are admitted as new cases are confirmed.[3]
- Secretary Punjab Mineral Development Corporation, Ataullah Siddiqui and Ghiasuddin, a Member of the Punjab Public Service Commission died as a result of the Dengue fever.[4][5][6]
- On September 30, 2011, Punjab MPA Mumtaz Jajja also died of dengue fever in Lahore.[7]
Domestic reaction
Government response
Government of Pakistan and Punjab, Pakistan are working on the preventive measures to reduce the spread of the epidemic. The Government of Punjab has opened a hotline called Punjab Health Line Project For Dengue which can be reached at 0800-99000. This is to facilitate the circulation on the signs and symptoms of dengue, reach for help for suspected cases and ultimately help identify areas where the epidemic may have reached. Spraying teams have been organized for the purpose of fumigating, spraying and fogging areas where the Aedes mosquitoes have known to infect people with the virus. Directions are in place for spraying especially in educational institutes. The government threatened to take action against any private school that did not observe to take these measures. Mobile teams operate around the clock to treat affectees on the spot in rural areas. A Special Tribunal for dengue directly reports to the provincial government. Chairman Dengue Emergency Response Committee Khwaja Saad Rafique has also advised private schools to spray twice a week. In early September 2011, the Government of Punjab ordered the schools, colleges and universities in the Pakistan to close down for 10 days for intensive spraying.[10][11][12] Article 144 has been implemented in Lahore for the prevention of dengue. After an appeal by the Punjab, Pakistan, private hospitals have agreed to provide free treatment to dengue patients[13]
Reaction by Pakistan Armed Forces
pakistani forces always play positive and active role in the all matter of country,for the sake of bettrement of the country.In this problem the Pakistan Armed Forces is also involved in the fight to control dengue. It is actively engaged in increasing public awareness. It has set up 300 camps in Lahore for relief. The Pakistan Air Force is also actively participating in the efforts.[14][15][16]
Awareness
Punjab government stated that it is working to increase public awareness on the dengue outbreak. In an awareness drive, Shahbaz Sharif himself arrived at local universities to hand out pamphlets on dengue fever and prevention. He held a telephonic seminar in Alhmara Hall in Lahore regarding the outbreak.[17] A seminar was also held in Hyderabad by the local authorities.[18] Various other awareness programs are held in colleges and schools and teachers are urged to educate students regarding this matter. The 24 hour government sponsored online service of the Punjab Health Line Project For Dengue provides information on the recent dengue outbreak and how to remove the threat using prevention methods.
International reactions
- Sri Lanka- Government of Sri Lanka promised assistance in the form of medicines and staff to Punjab.The team has departed back to Sri Lanka[19][20] A group of 12 doctors from Sri Lanka came to Lahore for assisting in the fight against dengue fever.[21][22][23]
- Indonesia- The Indonesian government dispatched a medical team comprising 20 dengue virus of dengue experts to assist Pakistani authorities in their fight against the outbreak.[24]
- The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing technical guidance along with support for provincial and territorial dengue monitoring and coordination committees.[25]
References
- ^ "Dengue and Government of Pakistan". The Nation. 11 September 2011. http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Lahore/11-Sep-2011/CM-takes-stock-of-private-hospitals. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ ARY NEWS. 4 November 2010. http://www.arynews.tv/english/newsdetail.asp?nid=38981. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ . http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=23989.
- ^ http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=9000&Cat=13&dt=9/25/2011
- ^ "Secretary Died". The News. http://thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=22557&title=Sec-Mineral-Development-dies-of-dengue. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- ^ "Secretary Mineral Punjab Died". Dunya News. http://www.dunyanews.tv/. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- ^ Five more, including PML-N MPA, die in Lahore, Express Tribune
- ^ The News. 14 September 2011. http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=22690&title=No-end-to-Dengue-fever-in-Punjab. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- ^ Pakistan Today. 15 September 2011. http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2010/11/unbiased-dengue-bites-chinese-workers-as-well/. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- ^ "Universities Closed for 10 days". Forum. http://vuhelp.net/news-update/12426-all-lahore-universities-will-remain-closed-dengue-10-days-14-september-2011-a.html. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
- ^ Express Tribune. 13 September 2011. http://tribune.com.pk/story/251381/dengue-alert-punjab-govt-closes-schools-for-10-days/. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
- ^ "Educational Institutions Closed". Illm. http://ilm.com.pk/education-news/news/all-punjab-institute-closed-till-25-sep-due-to-dengue-fever/. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
- ^ . http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/09/private-hospitals-to-treat-dengue-patients-free-of-cost/.
- ^ "Reaction of Pakistan Armed Forces". Express Tribune. http://tribune.com.pk/story/250366/emergency-measures-army-joins-dengue-fight-on-sharifs-request/. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- ^ "Reactions by Pakistan Army". The News INternational. http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=67253&Cat=5. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- ^ "15 September 2011". Pakistan Today. http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/09/sri-lankan-doctors-to-assist-govt-in-dengue-control/. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- ^ "Dengue Seminar". Waqt News. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahmC-MepNww. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Hyderabad Seminar". Geo News. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbZb1siBrQ4. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Sril Lanka's Help". Dawn News. http://www.dawn.com/2011/09/11/cm-secures-sri-lankas-support.html. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- ^ "Sri Lankan Government Comes in Action". Daily Jhang. 11 September 2011. http://e.jang.com.pk/09-11-2011/Lahore/pic.asp?picname=193.gif. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- ^ "Sri Lankan Doctors Come to Lahore". Asian Correspondant. http://asiancorrespondent.com/65008/sri-lanka-comes-to-rescue-pakistan-from-dengue-virus/. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- ^ "15 September 2011". Pakistan Today. http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/09/sri-lankan-doctors-to-assist-govt-in-dengue-control/. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- ^ Dawn. 12 September 2011. http://www.dawn.com/2011/09/12/pakistan-opt-against-drs-use-in-sri-lanka-and-england-test-series.html. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- ^ Dawn. http://www.dawn.com/2011/10/02/seven-more-succumb-to-dengue-in-city.html.
- ^ "Pakistan hit by Dengue fever outbreak". http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2011/09/pakistan-hit-by-dengue-fever-outbreak/.
Categories:- Health disasters in Pakistan
- 2011 in Pakistan
- 2011 health disasters
- 2010s medical outbreaks
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