Health minister vows to control outbreak of dengue virus soon
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – State Health Minister Dr Zafar Mirza has vowed to control the outbreak of dengue virus in Pakistan as soon as possible.
Addressing a press conference, the health minister said that all necessary arrangements are being made regarding outbreak response and coordination among center and provinces has also been increased. He said that the government is fully focused to address the outbreak of dengue virus in the country.
Zafar Mirza also said more than ten thousand dengue patients have been identified through screening tests across the country, including 2363 from Punjab 2258 from Sindh 1814 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 1772 from Balochistan.
“An emergency health center has been established at National Institute of Health Islamabad to update the general public regarding latest information on the outbreak of the virus,” the minister said. “Sixteen inactive medical units in outskirts of Islamabad have been made functional to provide medical facility to dengue patients,” he added.
The health minister said two hotlines have been established for the provision of experts' opinion to general public regarding dengue control and patients' treatment. He further urged the political parties to avoid politicizing health issues and help the affected people.
On the other hand, at least two more dengue patients died in Islamabad over the past 24 hours Sunday.
The health authorities confirmed the death of 12 people hit by the mosquito-borne disease across Punjab, of them, two died in Islamabad. More than 10,000 people were tested positive for dengue virus in parts of country.
The numbers of dengue patients are in Punjab 2410, 2500 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 2268 have reached in Sindh. Meanwhile, 772 case in Balochistan and 110 cases also surfaced in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK).
It was also reported that people were tested positive for dengue virus in Punjab over the past 24 hours, pushing the tally of the people suffering from the deadly disease more than 10,000.
