BY : Rabeia Ali,(SZABIST)Karachi.
Karachi : I am writing to express my concern about the recent surge in Chikungunya cases within our community.
This mosquito-borne illness can lead to severe joint pain, fever, and other debilitating symptoms.To combat this health threat, I urge local authorities to implement measures such as launching informative campaigns to educate the public about Chikungunya, its symptoms, and preventive measures. Authorities should also intensify mosquito control efforts, including regular fogging and larviciding, especially in high-risk areas. Ensuring adequate healthcare facilities and trained personnel to diagnose and treat Chikungunya cases promptly should also be our utmost priority. Individuals can also play a vital role in prevention by regularly inspecting and eliminating standing water sources. We should apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.Not only this but we should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk. Use of screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes has
also become a necessity. By taking these steps, we can significantly reduce the spread of Chikungunya and protect the health of our community. I would be highly grateful of your time and efforts to raise awareness regarding this important issue as your agency has contributed many times for the welfare of our society.