Karachi grapples with increase in dengue, malaria, other viral diseases
1. Chikungunya testing kits unavailable in govt hospitals as number of cases increase, say sources
**KARACHI:** Vector-borne diseases, including dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and other viral infections, have triggered a surge in patient visits across the city's hospitals.
Medical experts at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and Civil Hospital report that at least 50 patients daily are presenting with symptoms such as fever, cold, and body aches—raising concerns about dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and other viral infections.
### Rising Cases in Sindh
According to the Sindh Health Department:
- **Chikungunya:** 411 suspected cases have been reported, with 153 confirmed through diagnosis.
- **Dengue:** 1,724 cases were documented across Sindh this year, 1,484 of which occurred in Karachi. One dengue-related death has also been reported.
- **Malaria:** A staggering 222,239 malaria cases were reported across Sindh, with 1,768 cases recorded in Karachi.
The prevalence of chikungunya has significantly increased, with patients seeking medical attention for its symptoms. However, sources informed *Geo News* that government hospitals currently lack chikungunya testing kits despite the rising number of cases.
### Symptoms and Transmission
Dr. Bilal Aheed, a family physician at Aga Khan Hospital, explained to *Geo.tv* that individuals with these viral infections typically experience high-grade fever, severe body aches, joint pain, and swelling or redness on the skin.
“These symptoms are common with dengue and chikungunya, which are transmitted by **Aedes** mosquitoes,” Dr. Aheed noted. He added that two mosquito species, **Aedes aegypti** and **Aedes albopictus**, are primarily responsible for spreading these infections.
These mosquitoes thrive in urban environments, breeding in stagnant water found in open containers, puddles, or water tanks.
### Preventive Measures
To help curb the spread of these diseases, Dr. Aheed recommended the following preventive steps:
- **Eliminate stagnant water** around the house to prevent mosquito breeding.
- **Cover water containers** tightly to keep mosquitoes from laying eggs.
- **Use mosquito repellents** and bed nets for protection.
- **Wear long-sleeved clothing** during early morning and evening hours, when mosquitoes are most active.
With the number of cases rising across Karachi, authorities and healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of prevention and timely medical care to mitigate further outbreaks.
