Punjab has reported another surge in dengue virus cases with up to 91 cases recorded this year so far.
According to Punjab primary and secondary healthcare department, a total of 91 dengue virus cases have been reported in the province this year so far.
A total of seven new dengue virus cases have been reported in the province during the last 24 hours, said health department officials.
The infection rate has shown a steady increase. However, no casualty has been reported in the province so far this year.
As per the details out of 91 dengue virus cases, 35 were reported in Lahore alone, whereas Rawalpindi reported 13 dengue virus cases and Faisalabad with 6 confirmed cases so far.
Meanwhile, Islamabad has reported 28 dengue virus cases this year.
However, dengue virus has affected significantly less people this year, as around 3,056 people were infected in September 2019 alone as compared to 37 this year.
The significant drop in dengue virus infections is due to ‘coordinated efforts’ and effective field response by various government departments to curb the virus spread.
Dengue Virus
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector that transmits the viruses that cause dengue. The viruses are passed on to humans through the bites of an infective female Aedes mosquito.
The infection causes severe flu-like illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue.
The full life cycle of dengue fever virus involves the role of mosquito as a transmitter (or vector) and humans as the main victim and source of infection.
The dengue virus (DEN) comprises four distinct serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4) which belong to the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae.
Distinct genotypes have been identified within each serotype, highlighting the extensive genetic variability of the dengue serotypes. Among them, “Asian” genotypes of DEN-2 and DEN-3 are frequently associated with severe disease accompanying secondary dengue infections.
Once infected, humans become the main carriers and multipliers of the virus, serving as a source of the virus for uninfected mosquitoes.
