Dengue on the rise in Punjab, number reaches 945

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ISLAMABAD: Dengue fever is gripping Punjab fast and total number of dengue patients has reached 945.

In Punjab, 100 new cases have been reported during the last 24 hours. Out of these, 99 were reported in Lahore.

There are total 856 reported dengue cases in provincial metropolis Lahore, while one case each in Faisalabad, and Gujranwala. Two cases were reported from DG Khan during last week.

Talking to a private news channel on Saturday, Dr. Ayez said that dengue is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands , and rash.

The presence of fever, rash, and headache is particularly characteristic of dengue, he added.

He said other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.

Dr Ayaz said that Dengue strikes people with low levels of immunity because it is caused by one of four serotypes of virus, it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times.

However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular serotype to which the patient was exposed, he added.

He said the virus is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person.

The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags, and cans year-round. One mosquito bite can inflict the disease, Dr said.

The prevention of dengue fever requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue, he said. (APP)