POTENTIAL CHIKUNGUNYA EPIDEMICS IN PAKISTAN: ACT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

Authors

  • Khalid Rehman Medical University of Vienna. Austria

Abstract

First Chikungunya outbreak occurred in Karachi, Pakistan in 2016. Chikungunya is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito which is also transmits Dengue fever. The first Dengue fever outbreak of Pakistan also occurred in Karachi in 1994. In the past 23 years the disease has spread to all parts of the country. This is comprehensible as there is a lot of travelling between Karachi and other parts of the country which increases the chances of spread of the virus. Based on the precedent of Dengue fever in Pakistan, if appropriate preventive measures are not taken to control Chikungunya, it will only be a matter of time before it hits other parts of the country. At the same time International Health Regulations has to be practiced with all its zest to avoid introduction of diseases like Zika virus and yellow fever, which are also transmitted by Aedes.Keywords: Chikungunya; Dengue fever; IVM; Aedes mosquito

Author Biography

Khalid Rehman, Medical University of Vienna. Austria

Dr. Khalid Rehman is a public health professional with a PhD in Public health. He is currently working with “THE INDUS HOSPITAL” in Pakistan on a Malaria control program. He has extensive experience in vector borne disease control in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. His research interests revolve around vector borne diseases specially Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, leishmania, CCHF etc.

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Published

2019-07-10

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 3 (2019): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

SHORT COMMUNICATION

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