Deadly dengue fever spreads in Pakistan
- 13 years ago
People queue for urgent medical treatment at a Lahore hospital.
Pakistan's central Punjab province is in the midst of a dengue-fever outbreak that has killed dozens and infected more than 4,000 others in recent months.
The death toll is expected to rise with hundreds of people with fever are reporting to over-run emergency rooms every day.
(SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT AT SIR GANGA RAN HOSPITAL, DR. KHALID MEHMOOD
"This time its a dengue fever epidemic, and as you can see, more than 500 patients are coming to the emergency department every day. Many don't have dengue, but anyone who has a fever is worried and comes to the hospital."
A team of Sri Lankan doctors arrived last week to help local doctors cope with the crisis.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF SRI LANKAN MEDICAL EXPERTS TEAM, DR. HASITHA TISSERA
"We are here on a mission to share our experience with our colleagues in Lahore. So that, our experience will facilitate the efforts that have already been initiated and put in place by the health department in Lahore."
The outbreak of the mosquito-borne, tropical disease has become so severe many schools have been closed.
Specialists say poor hygiene and recent heavy monsoon rains are the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying dengue fever.
To prevent the often fatal disease spreading further, the government has launched a fumigation drive to reduce the mosquito population in the area.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
Pakistan's central Punjab province is in the midst of a dengue-fever outbreak that has killed dozens and infected more than 4,000 others in recent months.
The death toll is expected to rise with hundreds of people with fever are reporting to over-run emergency rooms every day.
(SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT AT SIR GANGA RAN HOSPITAL, DR. KHALID MEHMOOD
"This time its a dengue fever epidemic, and as you can see, more than 500 patients are coming to the emergency department every day. Many don't have dengue, but anyone who has a fever is worried and comes to the hospital."
A team of Sri Lankan doctors arrived last week to help local doctors cope with the crisis.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF SRI LANKAN MEDICAL EXPERTS TEAM, DR. HASITHA TISSERA
"We are here on a mission to share our experience with our colleagues in Lahore. So that, our experience will facilitate the efforts that have already been initiated and put in place by the health department in Lahore."
The outbreak of the mosquito-borne, tropical disease has become so severe many schools have been closed.
Specialists say poor hygiene and recent heavy monsoon rains are the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying dengue fever.
To prevent the often fatal disease spreading further, the government has launched a fumigation drive to reduce the mosquito population in the area.
Jessica Gray, Reuters