Balochistan Point Voice of Nation
Chikungunya is an illness caused by a virus that spreads through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Chikungunya are fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, swelling, or rash.
According to some reports compiled by (WHO) and Balochistan Health Department that Chickengunya resurfaced in the Coastal Areas of Balochistan,since January till March 17th of this year approximately some 472 cases were suspected and this incidence is still on rise.
While according to reports Chickengunya is not a life threatening disease but the major problem is associated with the transmission of dengue virus which is injected by the same Aedes vector mosquito, which is indeed very fatal.
Since district Gwadar had the dengue outbreak last year and there are possibilities that the dengue fever spreads in the district of Kech and Lasbela this year.
Gwadar is situated on a Coastal highway which has a climate just like Karachi while people visit Gwadar to Karachi and from Karachi to Gwadar and they depend on each other for study, tourism, trade and meet relatives as well, this may lead to spreading of Chickengunya in Karachi as well. Dengue fever cases have been reported from Gwadar district since 2011 and all confirmed cases had travelling history to Karachi till 2015 which shows sure existence of Aedes in district Gwadar.
The healthcare of the people is amongst the top priorities of the government and the government of Balochistan is requested to look into the matter so that precious lives are saved.
Zeeshan Nasir
Turbat, Kech
Published in The Balochistan Point on March 31, 2017
