Death toll rises to 48, more than 7,000 cases in Pakistani dengue outbreak

2011-09-21 05:13:19 GMT+7 (ICT)

LAHORE, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- The ongoing dengue outbreak in Pakistan continues to worsen with the latest death toll reaching 48 while more than 7,000 cases have been reported, officials said Tuesday.

The ongoing outbreak is mostly affecting Pakistan's eastern province of Punjab where more than 6,000 cases have been reported in the provincial capital of Lahore alone. Two more deaths on Tuesday brought the death toll to 48, according to the Express Tribune.

The two recent deaths were reported at the Mayo Hospital in the Township area. Medical centers have been struggling to keep up with local residents swarming its facilities to get their complete blood count tests.

Last week, Punjab provincial government officials announced that elementary, high schools, and colleges would be shut down for 10 days as officials reorganize their health measures to avoid further spreading of the epidemic. In addition, the schools were ordered to carry out fumigation at the schools during these days.

However, some 500 schools have been issued show-cause notices for not fumigating their school grounds despite government orders. Furthermore, officials warned school administrators that strict action would be taken against them if they do not comply with the orders.

The announcement of the school shut downs has been received with mixed reactions, as some expressed concerns whether the school syllabus would be completed on time.

Previously, the Punjab government was accused of criminal negligence for not being transparent about the outbreak. Advocate Noshab A Khan said that the outbreak had worsened because it had not been properly controlled during the early stages and the fumigation campaign had been of poor quality.

Dengue spreads more often after the rainy season when stagnant water on the streets may activate the breed of mosquitoes, causing dengue fever. Heavy monsoon rains in southeastern Pakistan have so far claimed the lives of some 300 people and displaced millions more.

Pakistan is already facing devastating floods as torrential rains continue in different parts of the country. According to the United Nations, at least 230 people have died and over 300,000 others have been displaced by the flood waters, while more than 1.1 million homes have been destroyed or seriously damaged. In total, at least 5.5 million people have been affected.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-09-21

Read today that scientists are to study sharks with a view to potentially cure diseases such as dengue as well as hepatitis. Will be years yet of course but fingers crossed.