NIH alerts against epidemic-prone infectious diseases

Islamabad: The National Institute of Health (NIH) has alerted health authorities to mount timely and efficient response to outbreaks and epidemics of diseases that are predicted to be on high alert during the period between March-June 2019.

In its 44th Seasonal Awareness and Alert Letter (SAAL) for epidemic-prone infectious diseases in Pakistan, NIH has termed Chikungunya, Cholera, CCHF, Dengue, Leishmaniasis, Measles, Polio and Pertussis as showing patterns of high-priority communicable diseases.

The letter also contains detailed introduction of the diseases, case definitions, infectious agents, modes of transmission, case management and prevention. NIH has termed Typhoid Fever (extensively drug-resistant strain) and Naegleria fowleri as national and Ebola Virus Disease and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV) as international events during spring season. It has advised the federal, provincial and district health departments as well as other stakeholders to take keep a continuous watch on the anticipated seasonal public health threats and to take all preventive and curative measures in this context. The letter includes additional information about the first-ever android based application ‘Mosquito Alert Pakistan’ that has been launched by NIH recently. This app will help to collect information about mosquito species present in different areas.

Moreover, NIH has also issued an advisory regarding pollen allergy in which patients have been advised to limit their outdoor activities during high pollen counts ; keep their windows and doors closed; limit contact with pets; and use filter masks while going outdoors.