A warning issued by Pakistan Metreological Department (PMD) on Friday has warned of a possible outbreak of Dengue in the coming October, particularly in big cities like Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Larkana and Multan.
The PMD warned that dengue fever had deepened its roots and impacted the health of people over the last 10 years. A spokesperson said that fever season is especially strong during the post-monsoon season — September 20 to December 5.
1026 patients have been brought to the hospitals in the current season.
A rain emergency has been imposed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Water and Sanitation Authority is advised to drain out the water in three shifts only to avoid the accumulation of water that provokes dengue breeding.
Dawn quotes the PMD spokesperson as saying, “Dengue triggers during those periods when the temperature and humidity threshold remains 26-29 degrees Celsius (3-5 weeks) and 60 per cent, respectively. Moreover, rainfall remains more than 27mm with a maximum time lag period of three weeks. The active period for dengue attacks is two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset.”
Once the temperature falls below 16°C, the breeding starts declining as well. Past analysis and especially the retreat of monsoon provides an ideal environment for a dengue outbreak, he stressed.
After this public caution, the PMD advised all stakeholders to take preventive measures for the dengue outbreak.
