ISLAMABAD: Ministry of National Health Services and World Health Organisation (WHO) Monday said no case of Chikungunya Virus has yet been confirmed in Karachi and any information circulated in this regard is incorrect and misleading.
In a joint statement issued by Ministry and WHO says there have been unconfirmed reports of the presence of Chikungunya virus in
Karachi, especially in the areas of Malir but no case of Chikungunya Virus has yet been confirmed till date and any information circulated with regard to confirmation of any case is incorrect and misleading.Read More: What is Chikungunya? – Transmission, Symptoms and Treatment
In the case of Chikungunya, the following information must be conveyed:
(1) Although there is serological evidence of a historical presence of the virus in Pakistan, there is at this time no evidence of any nested transmission of Chikungunya in the country
2) Imported cases can always appear as for any disease, but such importation, once early detected, would not cause any significant damage to public health
3) The Chikungunya virus pertains to the same family of viruses (these-called “arboviruses”) family, as dengue, but is known among the three for causing the least harm to health4) Being transmitted by the same mosquito (Aedes Aegypti) as Dengue, the measures that are already in place for controlling dengue are identical to the ones that would be needed to control any surge of Chikungunya transmission.
5) Epidemiological investigation supported by laboratory confirmations being under taken by the health authorities Equally critical, is to remind that an External Evaluation Mission of Experts mandated by the WHO Regional Committee of the Eastern Mediterranean Region has concluded, in a recently released Report, that Pakistan both at federal and provincial levels is well prepared to respond to any epidemic event.
Leave a Comment