"Pathogenic microbes have been identified as a threat to humans since 1973. Over 30 new emergent diseases and syndromes have been recognised in humans since 1970s including Hepatitis C, Lyme disease, Escherichia Coli commonly known as E-Coli, Cyclopora and other water and food borne diseases".
Dr Rafiq Khanani, President Infection Control Society of Pakistan (ICSP) told this to the audience at a Seminar on 'New and re-emerging infections and their prevention' organised by Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan on Thursday at a local hotel.
Dengue fever and cholera claimed several deaths in 2005-06 in Karachi. Hepatitis A,B,C,D,E is spreading in Pakistan, Hepatitis C has 4-5 percent prevalence in Pakistan. In 1985 HIV was detected in Pakistan and now HIV/AIDS 26 percent increases in Pakistan. Pakistan is considered as a high risk and low prevalence country considering HIV/AIDS. Sindh province is worst affected from HIV epidemic.
There is a need to promote hygiene and healthy habits including proper and regular hand washing specially of clinical staff. It is a study that 70 percent infections can be controlled if clinical staff regularly wash their hands.
Dr Afzal Lodhi, a renowned dermatologist throws light on skin infection control and prevention. He said that skin infections mostly occurs due to close contact with other persons infected by the disease or if you have cuts or bruises the best prevention is cleanliness and take bath more frequently and change cloths more often.
Children are more affected by skin diseases as they play together mostly and come in contact with each other for longer periods, therefore more prevalent to infections.
Dr Naseem Salahuddin, President Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan (IDSP) discusses the viral influenza, HIV and bird Flu. She told that Bird flu virus is under control in Pakistan and there is no need to be scared of bird flu virus or avian influenza. She discussed in detail what virus actually is and what and how it affects other living creatures. The virus is becoming more drug-resistant and it is a challenge for doctors around the world.
Dr Khursheed Hashmi, Associate Professor of Pathology, DOW University of Health Sciences and General Secretary, Infection Control Society Pakistan (ICSP) talked about the efficacy of anti infection products in the prevention of infectious diseases. He said that public private partnership in this area is very important so as to protect people from the emerging and re-emerging infections. The disinfectants are essential part of our lives now as they save you from being ill and catching those dirty viruses, which make you sick.