KARACHI: Two more patients have died of dengue fever in five days, raising the mortalities from the mosquito-borne viral infection to 59 over the past few months.

According to the health department data, a male and a female patient died at Liaquat University Hospital in Hyderabad and Saifee Hospital in Karachi, respectively. The latter was a resident of Hyderabad.

Officials said 48 deaths out of the total 59 were reported in Karachi, where 81 people tested positive on Wednesday. This month, the city has reported 737 cases so far.

Of the total 20,442 cases, Karachi has reported 15,367 cases while 3,355 cases were reported in Hyderabad with 7 deaths.

Experts said that this year dengue’s outbreak affected all areas and segments of society in Karachi and hospitals had run out of beds. The wide impact of the outbreak had so much to do with the unprecedented monsoon and city’s poor sanitary conditions, they said. There is no vaccine or specific treatment available for dengue fever and the only prevention is to eliminate mosquitoes.

The disease symptoms begin three to four days after infection and may include high fever, headache, vomiting and pain in muscles, joints, eyes and bones. It can also be associated with skin rashes. In the worst condition, there could be bleeding from gums, nose, mouth, ears and other parts of the body.

The experts advised patients to have an examination done from qualified doctors as soon as they notice signs and symptoms and follow the guidelines. Most dengue fever patients recover without any complications, they added.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2022