Transmission and Epidemic of Dengue and its Abatement in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan

Dengue fever has become endemic in most parts of the country since past several years. The incidence of this
simmering epidemic has not been felt to the same extent in preceding years, as has been in 2011, with cases and
deaths. The district health authorities in Islamabad were well aware of the grave situation arising out of the major
outbreak in Lahore, under took measures trying to prepare for the prevention and control of Dengue Fever in
Islamabad, since the beginning of the epidemic. Immediate stringent measures were taken under the supervision of
Capital Administrative and Administrative Division (CA&DD) from the platform of a National Task force with the
collaborative support of many stake holders to pre-empt the situation mainly to prevent, control the Dengue Fever
spread in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). Keeping in view the previous year's data and the fact that the expected
rapid human travel during the festival of Eid-ul-Fiter occurring in first week of September 2011, and suspected
transport of infected vector through goods may make the spilling of the infection in neighboring districts, effective
and timely pre-emptive measures were taken. As expected like many parts of the country the federal capital
experienced the epidemic of Dengue Fever with 1000 suspected cases of which 624 confirmed and there were 2
deaths as per data recorded on culmination of the 49" epidemiological week. The case fatality rate, however,
remained very low: 0.3%. The situation in Islamabad remained moderate as per evidence that the epidemic was
largely confined to Dengue Fever and not the Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome.