Persistence of the dengue menace

The incidence of dengue infections has risen to an unprecedented level all across the country. As many as 49,587 cases have been reported in the current year, which is nearly double the number of Pakistanis infected with dengue virus in any year since the affliction first struck in 1996. The highest number previously reported was in 2011 at 27,000 cases. The worst-affected areas this time have been Islamabad with 13,173 reported cases, followed by 13,251 in Sindh; 9,855 in Punjab; 7,776 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and 3,217 in Balochistan. Many more may have remained unregistered. A positive development, however, is that the fatality rate is much lower than at the time of the last surge in dengue infections when the death toll was 370 as against this year's 79. This is ascribable to better diagnostic and treatment facilities. Still, no one should suffer due to a life-threatening disease which is preventable.

A press report quotes spokesman for the National Health Services (NHS) as explaining the distressing increase in dengue afflictions by pointing out that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has included dengue in the top 10 global health threats. He named several Asian countries where the number of such cases has been very high. That though does not mean the NHS or others concerned do not bear any responsibility for what is happening here. Indeed, the menace, common to tropical and sub-tropical countries, has assumed alarming proportions due to climate change, creating conditions favourable for dengue mosquito's propagation. For the last several years, winters arrive late and for a shorter duration than normal. It may well be the reason during the recent two weeks alone, the number of dengue cases in this country has jumped up to more than 5,000. The changing weather patterns, however, are not the only cause of this public health threat; nor is it an unexpected phenomenon anymore. It is no excuse for the outbreak of dengue with a vengeance every now and then, like in 2005 when over 6,000 cases with 52 deaths were reported in Karachi, and in 2011, more than 21,000 case and 350 deaths in Lahore. Although the then provincial government in Punjab had taken emergency steps to control it, between 2011 and 2014 as many as 48,000 cases surfaced in different parts of the country.

That called for sustained vigilance and preventive measures. Unfortunately, as usual the tendency on the part of the authorities concerned has been to act after the expected has happened. Even so, the alarming situation in Islamabad indicates that the action has been too slow and ineffective. Common sense suggests that at the first hint of dengue virus, the NHA as well as local officials should have gotten their act together. What needed to be done is pretty well-known, which is anti-dengue sprays and fumigations in all congested neighbourhoods, together with a public awareness campaign. That should become routine practice until the dengue mosquito is completely decimated.