Dengue Prevalence and Diagnosis in Pakistan

Abstract

Dengue virus, a positive sense RNA virus, involve in spreading dengue infection worldwide, consists of four related but genetically different serotypes. The present study depicts the outbreak and prevalence of dengue infection in different parts of Pakistan from 1982 to 2013. In addition to this most commonly used diagnostic techniques in the world and in Pakistan have been also discussed. Since 1934, the availability of vector (Aedes aegypti) into various parts of Pakistan served as a risk factor for dengue infection and transmission to other parts of the country resulted into several mini and major outbreaks of different intensity. Later on, factors such as the geographical growth of the vector, seasonality of unknown reasons in transmission patterns and increased rainfall in area extended the degree of infection. After the first documented outbreak of dengue illness in 1994 in Karachi, the situation remained more or less unchecked therefore, dengue illness started to appear in the Northern part of the country in 2007. In 2013, a new trend has been observed regarding dengue prevalence in Pakistan, when cases were reported from areas other than endemic belt such as Balouchistan and Khyber Pakthunkhwa provinces. The analysis of available data showed the major threat of this viral infection that need to be considered and preventive measures should be taken accordingly.