Dengue fever infects about 12 000

Lahore, Pakistan - Already cursed by floods and suicide bombings, Pakistan now faces a new menace from an unprecedented outbreak of the deadly tropical disease dengue fever. 

In less than a month, 126 people have died and more than 12 000 have been diagnosed with the virus, which has spread rapidly among both rich and poor in Pakistan's cultural capital Lahore. 

Dengue affects between 50 and 100 million people in the tropics and subtropics each year, resulting in fever, muscle and joint ache. 

But it can also be fatal, developing into haemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome, which is characterised by bleeding and a loss of blood pressure. 

Caused by four strains of virus spread by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, there is no vaccine - which is why prevention methods focus on mosquito control. 

Pakistani authorities in Lahore have blamed the crisis on prolonged monsoon rains and unusually high seasonal temperatures.   Read More

Posted in: Health