The chikungunya virus has turned into an outbreak in the Safaid Dheri area of Peshawar, which has been confirmed by the Health Department.
Cases of chikungunya are continuously increasing in Safaid Dheri, Peshawar, and the Health Department has confirmed 16 positive cases.
In view of the rising number of patients, a control room has been established in the DHO Peshawar office. To contain the outbreak at the union council level, strict monitoring and contact tracing of infected individuals are being carried out.
Additionally, the DHO Peshawar has been instructed to keep the Health Directorate informed on a daily basis.
According to Health Secretary Shahidullah, after confirming 16 chikungunya cases in the Safaid Dheri area, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has declared the area an outbreak zone and initiated several immediate response measures.
A few days ago, suspected cases with fever symptoms were reported in Safaid Dheri. A health team visited the area, collected samples from 21 individuals, and sent them to the Public Health Reference Lab Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for testing. The lab confirmed chikungunya in 16 of those samples.
The secretary added that an advisory has already been issued to the DHO Peshawar to ensure timely preventive actions. According to the advisory, the Peshawar Health Department has directed the implementation of urgent measures to control the outbreak.
A control room has been set up at the DHO office in Peshawar for effective monitoring and coordination of the situation, while an epidemiological investigation has been initiated to identify the sources and causes of the virus spread.
Vector control measures, such as fogging and larviciding, have also begun to prevent mosquito breeding. In addition, a public awareness campaign has been launched, urging citizens to strictly follow precautionary measures.
The Health Secretary directed that diagnostic kits and medicines be made available at relevant health centers. To curb the outbreak, daily situation reports will be submitted to the Directorate General of Health Services.
The Health Department has advised the public to adopt mosquito prevention measures and avoid unnecessary movement. According to the spokesperson, strict monitoring and contact tracing of infected individuals are being conducted to contain the outbreak at the union council level. The Health Department assured that all possible resources are being utilized to bring the situation under control.
