ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday warned that the next two weeks will be “critical” amid a surge in dengue infections in the country, as Pakistan grapples with the disease’s outbreak while health institutions report hundreds of cases daily.
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, with an estimated 100–400 million infections occurring each year worldwide, as per the World Health Organization (WHO).
Mosquitoes carrying dengue virus are mostly found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide.
While many dengue infections are asymptomatic or produce only mild illness, the virus can occasionally cause more severe cases and even death.
Over 4,500 dengue cases have been reported in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, around 1,600 in Sindh, 2,276 in Islamabad and 3,220 cases of the infection in the adjoining city of Rawalpindi this year, according to official data.
“The next two weeks are still critical as prevailing atmospheric factors are favoring the conducive environment for dengue,” Dr. Zaheer Ahmed Babar, a director at the PMD, told Arab News.
Public and private hospitals have been receiving hundreds of patients daily suffering from cold, fever and body aches who are later diagnosed with dengue virus. Governments have designated special wards in hospitals and clinics for dengue patients.
Dr. Babar advised authorities to take pre-emptive measures to address the prevailing dengue outbreak in the country.
Separately, the PMD issued an advisory in which it said the next two weeks were critical but said dengue virus cases were expected to see a decline in November due to the current meteorological conditions and atmospheric trends in the country.
Sajid Hussain Shah, a spokesperson for the federal health ministry, said the government is “fully vigilant” in its attempts to curb dengue cases through awareness campaigns and measures such as fumigation in affected areas.
“The dengue cases are rising indeed but the disease is no more fatal as it was in the past,” he said.
The Pakistan Medical Association has expressed concerns over the rising number of dengue cases across the country, suggesting the government initiate preventive measures to curb it.
“Dengue is a preventable disease but unfortunately it has been spreading across Pakistan rapidly due to negligence of the authorities,” Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, PMA secretary-general, told Arab News.
“Local authorities should focus on fumigation and sanitation of their respective areas to curb growth of the larva.”
He said early identification of the disease and efficient clinical management of dengue patients could reduce fatalities to less than one percent.
“It is unfortunate to say that Pakistan shares the highest burden of major vector-borne diseases, including dengue, that could be reduced to a significant extent by focusing on primary health care and awareness,” Shoro said.
Pakistan says next two weeks ‘critical’ for dengue infections amid surge in cases
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Pakistan says next two weeks ‘critical’ for dengue infections amid surge in cases
- Official data shows twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi reported nearly 6,000 dengue virus cases this year
- Met Office says prevailing atmospheric conditions provide conducive conditions for dengue virus diseases
Pakistan court directs authorities to form medical board to assess Imran Khan’s eye condition
- Islamabad High Court rejects jailed ex-PM’s request for immediate transfer to private hospital
- Medical board comprising doctors from PIMS and Shifa to submit report on possible transfer
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani high court on Thursday directed authorities to form a medical board of government doctors to assess whether jailed former prime minister Imran Khan needs to be transferred to a hospital, his party said, following a rejection of his request to be moved to a private facility for treatment.
The development comes after the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said last week that Khan’s vision had “improved remarkably” since he was given an Anti-VEGF injection amid concerns related to his eyesight.
Anti-VEGF injections are commonly used to treat retinal vein occlusion and other retinal vascular disorders by reducing swelling and abnormal blood vessel growth inside the eye. Prior to the development, the ex-premier had complained of rapid deterioration in vision in one of his eyes.
“The Islamabad High Court has rejected Imran Khan’s request for immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital,” the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said in a post on X.
“The court directed that the Chief Commissioner immediately constitute a medical board comprising doctors from PIMS and Shifa Hospital,” it continued. “The medical board will submit a report, on the basis of which the Chief Commissioner will decide whether a hospital transfer is to take place or not.”
The PTI said the court’s decision had raised questions over the judiciary’s independence.
“Delaying a medical emergency and handing it over to administrative discretion is a violation of human rights,” it said. “The issue of Imran Khan’s health is not just about one individual but reflects the entire judicial and state system.”
The 74-year-old cricketer-turned politician has been in prison since August 2023 in cases that he and his party say are politically motivated.
Khan was taken to PIMS for a medical procedure earlier this year, as his party questioned the transparency of the medical update and demanded independent access to his care.
Khan was removed from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary vote of no confidence that he says was orchestrated at the behest of the former administration in Washington by his political rivals with backing from the military. His allegation has been denied by all parties involved.
Since his imprisonment, Khan has faced multiple convictions and ongoing legal proceedings that authorities say follow due process, while his party describes them as efforts to sideline him from politics.
