2022
Author(s): Akram MI, Akram W, Qayyoum MA, Rana AA, Yasin M, Saddiq B
Dengue fever (DF) is a major public health concern in the Pakistan, and has been a significant cause of hospitalizations and deaths among males and females of all ages. Dengue viruses and their mosquito vectors are sensitive to their environment and temperature, rainfall and time of day have well-defined roles in the transmission cycle. Therefore changes in these conditions may contribute to increasing incidence. The present study was planned to investigate the impact of meteorological factors (rain fall, temperature and humidity) and vector indices ((container index (CI) and Breteau index (BI)) on the DF cases reported from three large and populated cities, Lahore (LHR), Faisalabad (FSD) and Rawalpindi (RWP), Punjab, Pakistan during 2017-2018. Dengue fever cases were recorded by visiting the study stations and cross-checked with data from the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), Lahore. Metrological data of FSD, LHR and RWP were obtained from the Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD). Most of the DF cases were reported after 62.5-106.5 mm rainfall, 22.1-30.25 degrees C temperature, and 53.5-73.5% relative humidity (r.h.) from FSD, LHR and RWP. CI and BI were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with mean DF cases reported (BI: 0.824**, 0.000 and CI: 0.706**, 0.000). The r.h. at 5 pm also significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with BI (0.247*, 0.036) and CI (0.266*, 0.024). Maximum DF spread and cases were reported during May and September in FSD, October and November in LHR, and October in RWP during 2017 and 2018. Non availability of specific medicine and vaccine of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever, these indexes could be helpful in control programs to identify areas at high risk for dengue transmission and its significance can be used to halt the outbreak of dengue.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02462-9