PAKISTAN Political & Security Update 20th September, 2019
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HEALTH ADVISORY-PAKISTAN DENGUE OUTBREAK (From 01:00 to 23:59 Hrs)
This report is compiled from news reports of various NEWS papers, TV channels, social media and WhatsApp groups. HEALTH ADVISORY-PAKISTAN DENGUE OUTBREAK Dengue has become a National Health Disaster so far spread is in 3 provinces Punjab, KPK, Sindh and Capital Islamabad as well. It was mostly in Rawalpindi in Sadar, Guzar e Quaid, DHA area and now it is spreading in Islamabad as well. Below advisory may be sent to your office staff and personal contacts for awareness and precautions. 2,286 persons have been tested positive for dengue in Punjab while the number of suspected patients has surged to 59,739. Three people have died of dengue so far this year- (LAST UPDATED SEPTEMBER 14, 2019) ISLAMABAD- 645 confirmed positive for dengue fever in Islamabad hospitals. There have been reports of hundreds of other patients tested positive at private laboratories of Islamabad. Reference: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/527103-645-confirmed-positive-for-denguefever-in-islamabad-hospitals RAWALPINDI- The district health department has confirmed that 1,499 patients are diagnosed with mosquito-borne disease dengue in Rawalpindi division so far. 1,499 persons are confirmed with the infection of dengue virus so far, whereas, 10 cases were reported from Chakwal, 8 from Attock, 2 in Jhelum. Reference: https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/1499-dengue-cases-confirmed-rawalpindidivision-report LAHORE- 41 cases lodged in Lahore after dengue larvae found. Following an outbreak of dengue in the provincial capital, Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) Saleha Saeed has removed 81 officials from their posts for negligence during the prevention campaign. References: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2052587/1-81-officials-removed-following-dengue-outbreaklahore/ https://www.samaa.tv/news/2019/09/41-cases-lodged-in-lahore-after-dengue-larvae-found/ KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA- K.P- The dengue fever outbreak rung alarm bells across the country as over 900 more patients have been affected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The majority of the sufferers in KP belong to Peshawar. Reference: https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/09/14/900-more-patients-sufferingfrom-dengue-fever-reported-in-kp/ 2|Page https://issuu.com/pakistanupdates/docs
ADVISORY Dengue fever, also known as the bone-breaking illness is hazardous to your health. Transmitted by Mosquitoes, this infectious fever can be fatal. Extreme symptoms can be experienced or witnessed at a later stage, however, if detected early, it could help you to take right measures or precautions. Often dengue symptoms are mistaken with usual flu or viral fever, hence it is essential to check for the below-mentioned symptoms and ensure a quick blood test for accurate detection. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS The disease has a sudden onset and symptoms may include: ·
Fever for 3 to 7 days
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Intense headache and pain behind the eyes
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Muscle and joint pain
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Loss of appetite
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Vomiting and diarrhea
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Skin rash
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Nausea
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Bleeding, usually from the nose or gums.
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Recovery is sometimes associated with prolonged fatigue and depression.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever- At first, symptoms of DHF may be mild, but they gradually worsen within a few days. As well as mild dengue symptoms, there may be signs of internal bleeding. A person with Dengue hemorrhagic fever may experience: ·
Bleeding from the mouth, gums, or nose
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Clammy skin
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Damage to lymph and blood vessels
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Internal bleeding, which can lead to black vomit and feces, or stools
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A lower number of platelets in the blood
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Sensitive stomach
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Small blood spots under the skin
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Weak pulse
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Without prompt treatment, DHF can be fatal.
Dengue shock syndrome- DSS is a severe form of dengue. It can be fatal. Apart from the symptoms of mild dengue fever, the person may experience: ·
Intense stomach pain
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Disorientation
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Sudden hypotension, or a fast drop in blood pressure
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Heavy bleeding
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Regular vomiting
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Blood vessels leaking fluid
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Without treatment, this can result in death.
Do not ignore early symptoms- In case you observe any of the above-mentioned symptoms, then it’s advisable to visit a doctor and follow the recommended line of treatment. DIAGNOSIS The signs and symptoms of dengue fever are similar to some other diseases, such as typhoid fever and malaria. This can sometimes delay an accurate diagnosis. The doctor will assess the symptoms and the person's medical and travel history, and they may order some blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. PREVENTION No vaccine can protect against dengue fever. Only avoiding mosquito bites can prevent it. Anyone who lives in or travels to an at-risk area can use a number of ways to avoid being bitten. Clothing- Reduce the amount of skin exposed by wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks, tucking pant legs into shoes or socks, and wearing a hat. Mosquito repellents- Use a repellent with at least 10 percent concentration of diethyltoluamide (DEET), or a higher concentration for longer lengths of exposure. ·
Avoid using DEET on young children.
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Apply it to exposed skin and/or clothing, using enough to cover the entire area.
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Do not apply it under clothing.
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Do not apply it on cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
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Do not apply it near the eyes or mouth, and apply sparingly around ears.
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When using sprays, never spray directly on the face.
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Spray it on your hands first and then apply it to your face. Wash your hands afterward.
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Do not allow children to handle a repellent.
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When using it on children, apply it to your own hands first and then put it on the child.
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Avoid applying it to children’s hands.
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Do not use an insect repellent for infants under two months of age.
Pregnant woman to be extra cautious- Mosquitoes are very attracted to carbon dioxide. That is why if you are pregnant, the chances of getting bitten by a mosquito are more because you tend to release more carbon dioxide. Moreover, your body temperature too being a bit raised makes you even more bite-friendly. Avoid crowded places- The more the people, the more the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and higher the chances of instigating the odor senses of mosquitoes. Avoid water stagnation- Mosquitoes need wet, moist, cool, damp and dark places like water puddles and pits to breed or to lay their eggs. Eliminating the conditions that help them to multiply is a major way of reducing the risk of dengue and other vector or mosquito-borne diseases. Keep your lawns well-trimmed. Don’t allow rainwater to collect and stagnate in balconies, in the garden and courtyard, on the roads or lanes near your place, etc. Make water puddles in and around your area non-mosquito friendly by covering them with sand or dousing them with petrol or insecticides. Also, ensure the drains are covered and not overflowing. Mosquito traps and nets- Nets treated with insecticide are more effective, otherwise, the mosquito can bite through the net if the person is standing next to it. The insecticide will kill mosquitoes and other insects, and it will repel insects from entering the room. Door and window screens- Structural barriers, such as screens or netting, can keep mosquitos out. These steps will not only safeguard you against dengue but also help in protecting the community at large. Apart from the aforesaid measures, boost your immunity to help you build better resistance against diseases. To know more about the ways of prevention and what symptoms to be aware of, you can always consult your personal medical consultant/family doctor.
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WEATHER ADVISORY A westerly wave is affecting upper parts of the country and likely to persist till Saturday. Seasonal low lies over Northwest Balochistan. Rain/wind-thunderstorm is expected at scattered places in Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala division, Islamabad, Kashmir, while at isolated places at Lahore, Sargodha, Faislabad, Malakand, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat and Bannu divisions. Hot and humid weather is expected in other parts of the country. Highest Maximum Temperatures: R.Y.Khan 41°C.
Sh. Benazirabad 43°C, Sibbi, Padidan, Dalbandin, Rohri and
TRAVEL ADVISORY It is advised that expatriate personnel in Pakistan should avoid travel to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the districts of Lower Dir, Buner, Swat, Charsadda, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, DI Khan and Lakki in KPK. Expatriates should also avoid travelling on the Peshawar-Chitral road via the Lowari Pass and all areas of Northern and Western Balochistan. Avoid unnecessary travel to Quetta in Balochistan and the city of Nawabshah in Sindh as well as other areas of interior Sindh to the north of Nawabshah is unadvised for all but essential travel.
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