Khalid Mahmood, Tahir Jameel, Huma F Aslam, Tahir M.
Incidence of dengue haemorrhagic fever in local population of Lahore, Pakistan.
Biomedica Jan ;25(2):93-6.

Dengue virus infection is the most common mosquito born viral disease and is a major public health problem (globally). More than 2.5 billion people in over 112 countries of the world are at risk from dengue virus. According to WHO, more than 100 million new cases of dengue fever occur world wide including dengue haemorrhagic fever (500,000) cases and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) along with 2.5% mortality rate. In Pakistan incidence of dengue is increasing since 1994 and is becoming an important public health problem. Among the 341 acute cases, 166 (48.7%) were confirmed by IgM dengue specific kit, 27 (7.9%) in gray zone and 148 (43.4%) were negative. IgG was used on 200 suspected re-infected patients. Among them 79 (39.5%) were positive, 3 (1.5%) in gray zone and 118 (59%) were negative. Male to female ration was 1.25:1. Most patients presented typical sign and symptoms of fever, headache, myalgia, anorexia, malaise, skin rash and retroorbital pain in 98, 81, 75, 63, 47 and 41% respectively in descending order. Among 245 confirmed dengue fever patients 43 (17.6%) were considered dengue haemorrhagic fever cases on the basis of lab and clinical findings. More prevalence has been observed in old age (37.8%) as compared to children (7.1%) in age group 1–15 years. Continuous surveillance and education of the clinician is essential for the recognition of the risk factors of dengue haemorrhagic fever for early diagnosis and management. (Review article)

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