An Epidemiological Study of Dengue Outbreak in Pakistan

Abstract

In 2016, Hazara Division reported his major outbreak of Dengue fever. In this context, current epidemiological and serological survey conducted to highlight the actual burden of Dengue fever in cities of Hazara Division. Blood samples were taken from the total of 1462 suspected people for detection of Dengue antibodies. Among these patients, 1359 (93%) were found to be positive for Dengue, including 965 (71%) males and 394 (29%) females. Distribution in keeping the presence of antibodies shows 897 (66%) IgM positive people. Second most frequently seen antibodies were both IgG and IgM in 435 (32%) people. Presence of IgG antibodies was detected in 27 (2%) individuals. 1142 (84%) of Dengue positive people were not found to be symptomatic while rest of 217 (16%) observed with various symptoms. In this outbreak peak incidence of Dengue fever was observed in Manshera city. Although minimum was seen in Abbottabad city. To conclude, this might be the largest outbreak in the history of Hazara Division and second in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We recommend that policymakers and the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa desperately need to make efforts to prevent this mounting ratio of Dengue fever and implement the vector management policies by environmental measures and promote awareness in this area.