Pakistan has been facing the dengue epidemic since long ago, at 2010 the dengue fever caused 16 580 confirmed cases and 257 deaths in Lahore.
However, this year the epidemic is getting worse and is one of the worst dengue epidemics that pakistan ever faced, causing multiple cases (some even say 20,000 recorded cases) and deaths even in my neighborhood and relatives, the problem is too big to simply ignore.
Authorities are conducting anti-mosquito sprays in urban areas in order to contain the virus and stop the disease from spreading but its necessary for every citizen to do their job in preventing the disease from spreading too.
The dengue fever can be effectively reduced if everyone in Pakistan helps to keep the country clean and takes all the necesary precautionary measures.
However dengue is not only common in Pakistan.An estimated 400 million dengue infections occur worldwide each year, with about 96 million resulting in illness.It mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
What is Dengue and what causes it?
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito. There are four distinct serotypes of the dengue virus (DEN 1, DEN 2, DEN 3 and DEN 4.)Dengue fever is a flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, According to WHO(World Health Organization).
The viruses are transmitted from mosquitoes during Daytime, they occur mostly due to stale and standing water, unreliable sanitation and garbage collection.
Symptoms
In certain cases people who are infected do not exhibit symptoms due to which they are often mistaken for simple flu , however in some cases it might take upto a week for the symptoms to appear.
Symptoms include:
- High Fever that occurs suddenly and might come in waves
- Headaches
- Pain Behind the Eyes, Muscles, Joints and Bones.
- Skin Rash
- Vomiting
- Nausea and Fatigue.
Treatment & Precautionary Measures.
There are no specific treatments for dengue, if you're feeling sick and have a fever go to a doctor immediately, proper nursing and rest can save your life.
The best way to prevent contracting dengue is too save yourself from mosquito bites, and that can be done by eliminating mosquitoes from your environment.
Do not let water stay in a container for a long time, use mosquito repellent sprays indoors and outdoors, use long sleeved shirts and long pants and use air conditioning at home or fan if that's not available in order to stay safe from dengue.
Mosquitoes that bite the infected member of your family can spread the disease therefore, be extremely careful and cautious in preventing that from happening to you.
Dengue is a serious issue and more people should be aware of its causes and how to stay safe from this.Keep yourself protected by cleaning the environment you stay in and visit the doctor as soon as you feel the symptoms.
Stay safe and healthy -
Peace.