Diagnostic aspect of dengue virus needs much work: Dr Nawaz

As many as 500 blood samples taken from the Lahore General Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, and Surgimaid Hospital have been tested and the type of dengue found resembled 98 percent to that of Indian dengue. Dr Idrees Khan-an expert revealed this in the fourth meeting of 'Dengue Research Group' that was held here at the Punjab University Centre for Undergraduate Studies on Friday.
Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran presided over the meeting, which was also attended by Vice-Chancellor University of Veterinary and Animals Sciences (UVAS) Professor Dr Muhammad Nawaz and experts from Punjab University, University of Health Sciences (UHS), FC College University, Mayo Hospital and Fatima Memorial System. Dr Idrees Khan further said that last year 19 percent samples were tested positive for dengue but this year this ratio has been exceeded to 41 percent and added that all possible measures had been taken to curb dengue.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mujahid Kamran said the real objective of universities was to create new knowledge through research. He further said funds were not the real issue but our real issue was only our preferences. He said the present administration, feeling the importance of research, had increased research budget from Rs 4 million to Rs 80 million during the last three years. He said the fourth meeting of Dengue Research Group has cleared the situation that who would carry out which part of research, how experts would collaborate and which aspects are needed to be focused.
Dr Muhammad Nawaz said the diagnostic aspect of dengue virus needed much work. Moreover, it should be noted that from where dengue mosquito was coming and breeding. He said work should be done on isolating and typing the virus. He said we should work hard and ensure that this virus will have no existence in the next year. He said research on carrier and reservoir of the virus should be carried out which will brief either an animal which is bitten by the mosquito becomes reservoir or not. Stressing the need for biological analysis of insecticides, he said unfortunately we do not have standards.
Professor Dr Aslam said research should be carried out that what would be the effect of dengue fever on new-born babies if their mothers suffered dengue fever during pregnancy? Proposals and projects for research on dengue were also presented in the meeting. The meeting constituted seven committees including the fields of entomology, diagnostic, virology, vector control, medical, social/epidemiology and environment and ecology.