(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) LANDIKOTAL: The problem of dengue fever is still out of control in Khyber tribal district as two more deaths from the disease were reported from the area on Tuesday.
Reports from the area said a woman and an elderly man died of dengue virus during last few days in Landikotal while several positive cases were also reported.
People have expressed grave concern over the situation and demanded the health authorities to arrange anti-dengue mosquito fumigation to get rid of the problem. They said mosquito nets should also be distributed among the people to save them from the disease.
People of Landikotal said they are constantly bringing the issue into the notice of the concerned authorities, but the administration has not taken enough steps to control the disease.
Health authorities insist that fumigation is being carried out in affected areas and an awareness campaign is also being run in the entire area in this regard. however, the locals said the situation on ground is different and the matter seems to be out of their control.
Twenty patients tested positive for dengue virus at District Headquarters Hospital Landikotal during the last few days. Several other people have also shown symptoms of the dangerous disease and their tests have been taken, and it is expected that the number of dengue patients will further increase. Several persons from Merikhel and Mattakhel villages complained about the symptoms of the disease, particularly high fever. On the directions of the district health officer (DHO) a team of the health department was sent to affected areas of Landikotal last month.
The situation has caused unrest in the area and people are concerned about their health. They said timely action is needed before it is too late as the disease is spreading too fast.
Dengue was almost forgotten when coronavirus was on its peak in Pakistan and rest of the world. However, with effective steps by the government now coronavirus has been overcome to a great extent. However, the threat of both coronavirus and dengue virus still exists in case people do not observe precautionary measures.
Dengue, like the coronavirus, is a viral disease, but the infection is spread by a vector, a mosquito, which transmits the virus through its bite. Dengue is a tropical disease, and has grown in Pakistan beyond its East African habitat because of global warming.
The disease's first outbreak in Pakistan was in 2011 when it killed around 300 people. Dengue fever outbreak happens every year as the mosquito carrying the disease has not been eradicated. The main standard operating procedures (SOPs) against dengue include removing of stagnant water and other things which can serve as breeding places for the mosquito, and anti-mosquito fumigation to eliminate the mosquito.
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