KARACHI: Health experts at a public awareness seminar titled "Dengue and Chikungunya: Diagnosis and Prevention" have raised alarms over the increasing cases of chikungunya and dengue, stressing the need to eliminate mosquito breeding sites to control the spread of these diseases in the city.
The seminar was held at the L.E.J. National Science Information Center of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), was co-hosted by the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) and the Sindh Innovation Research and Education Network (SIREN).
Dr. Saman Nadeem, Consultant Clinical Microbiologist and Head of Microbiology at the National Medical Center, expressing her concern at the situation, said chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), is primarily spread by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which also transmit dengue and Zika viruses.
She said the disease symptoms include joint swelling, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, and rash. While no specific treatment exists, patients are advised to rest, stay hydrated, and use over-the-counter pain relievers. Recovery is typically complete, though joint pain may persist for extended periods, she added.
Dr Saman warned that the similarity in symptoms between chikungunya, dengue, and Zika can lead to misdiagnosis, saying the actual number of chikungunya cases may be underreported due to diagnostic challenges.
She stressed the importance of heightened awareness, particularly during the rainy season when mosquito activity increases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says dengue is categorized into three types: dengue without warning signs, dengue with warning signs, and severe dengue.
Like chikungunya, there is no specific treatment for dengue, and care focuses on the management of symptoms which include fever, nausea, vomiting, rash, and muscle or joint pain.