Karachi: Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho held meeting on Vector Borne Diseases. Najam Shah, Nasir Hussain Shah, Murtaza Wahab, Qasim Siraj Soomro, Zulfiqar Shah were in attendance along with representatives from Ministry for Information, Local Government, Karachi Administration, Vector Borne Diseases Department etc. 

Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho said that there must be more entomological surveys done in city so vector density can be accurately measured. A Vector Borne Diseases control room should be established and Covid resources should be diverted to vector control, she added. 

She said that there have been naegleria samples found in water so there must be increased surveillance of water sources and messaging regarding proper chlorination of water so that there are no incidents of anyone being infected with naegleria. Industry Ministry must be contacted so that they are properly treating their waste water and site management should be conducted with care for vector control as well as these areas can be infested with mosquito larvae. Meeting was informed that local governments with help of DHOs can create a more accurate mapping of vector hotspots. Though Dengue is concentrated mostly in Karachi, malaria has been a concern across province. 

Though there has been a decline in trends for Dengue infections, it is not conclusive whether this will maintain as both October and November are seen as Dengue season in Karachi. Malaria is possibly being underreported still as data is being sourced from health facilities and many may be treating their symptoms at home without ever being screened. 

It was also noted in meeting that even now, not all private labs are delivering data for Dengue and malaria, however over 80 percent of health facilities, both public and private are sending regular reports on vector borne diseases. 

There are surveillance activities being held that are detecting which houses have been identified as having cases of vector borne diseases and these houses and surrounding areas are monitored and teams are deployed to fumigate, administer larvicide and spray indoor rooms for vector control. 

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 05 2022

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