GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJAB DENGUE FEVER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.

1.               INTRODUCTION

2.               What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is an infectious disease spread by mosquitoes and caused by dengue virus. Dengue fever is found mostly during and after the rainy season in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world .It is also known as break bone fever because it may cause severe joint and muscle pain.

Dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquito. Its virus has four different sub-types (serotypes).Infection with one serotype usually gives lifelong immunity against that type omly.Since no vaccines are available, prevention is the best remedy. This can be achieved by reducing the breeding sites of the mosquito and avoiding the contact of mosquito with human body.

1.2 History

(i)   Origin Occurrence.

      The dengue viruses originated in monkeys and then these were transferred to human beings in Africa and south east Asia through mosquitoes. There is some evidence of an epidemic in 17^th century .During the second world war, the co incidental transport of aides mosquito in cargo is thought to be one of the major causes of spread of virus. In 1906 transmission by aides mosquito was confirmed and by the year 1907dengue was recognized as a major viral disease. In Pakistan the first outbreak of dengue fever was recorded in Karachi in 1994 which probably came form Thailand and Malaysia either through the trade of used tires through infected travelers .Then this disease moved towards Punjab the most challenging and alarming situation was observed in Lahore during the the year 2011 where it claimed many lives.