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WHO's efforts to prevent a malaria epidemic in Pakistan, 12 October
12 October 2010, Islamabad - Almost 300 000 suspected cases of malaria, including confirmed cases of severe falciparum malaria, have been recorded in flood-affected areas of Pakistan since 29 July 2010, an overall number which is slightly above the average annual malaria seasonal levels. WHO is supporting Pakistan's Ministry of Health malaria control programme, as well as Health Cluster partners, to prevent and control a malaria epidemic in the country.
Malaria is endemic in rural areas of Pakistan where there are two seasonal peaks: in August (mainly due to the milder vivax -malaria) and October (the potentially fatal falciparum malaria). More than one million malaria cases are registered annually but 12% of people living in the rural areas carry malaria parasites in the blood without showing symptoms of malaria.
Balochistan province has recorded the largest proportion of consultations for suspected malaria, while increasing numbers of cases are also being reported in Punjab and Sindh provinces according to the Disease Early Warning System of WHO and the Federal Ministry of Health. The increased number of malaria cases is definitely caused by the floods that have displaced millions of people, leaving many living in poor shelters, and has left many water ponds, which are ideal breeding sites for Anopheles mosquitoes.
"The total number of suspected malaria cases reported in flood-affected districts is only slightly higher than at the same period in previous years, however, falciparum malaria needs special consideration as it is responsible for severe cases and it can be fatal", says Dr Guido Sabatinelli, WHO Representative in Pakistan.
WHO is coordinating the deployment of preventive and curative measures in each of Pakistan's provinces and is supporting Pakistani health authorities through the Health Cluster network of humanitarian health providers. Communicable disease surveillance of all epidemic-prone diseases has been strengthened and senior malariologists are currently visiting Sindh, Punjab and Baluchistan provinces to assist the Pakistan Ministry of Health's malaria control programme in conducting outbreak investigation, training and malaria control activities. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated, through WHO, US$ 5 million for malaria prevention and control activities in flood-affected districts of Pakistan.
“Rapid diagnostic tests have been provided by WHO to health authorities and cluster partners in areas where laboratory diagnosis by microscopy is either not possible or unreliable," says Dr Kakar. "The rapid diagnostic test can detect in a single drop of a person's blood, in a few minutes, the presence of Plasmodium vivax or P. falciparum. Such rapid diagnosis and effective treatment saves lives", says Dr Kakar Qutbuddin, WHO malariologist.
As part of its response activities so far, WHO has provided 320 700 rapid diagnostic tests and procured 145 000 long-lasting insecticidal nets, distributing 95 000 to health authorities in Sindh province (75 000 to Sukkur district, and 20 000 in Hyderabad district). WHO in the last week has also dispatched to provinces 55 000 arthemisine-based combination treatments for falciparum malaria and 30 000 primaquine tablets for radical cure of vivax malaria, while 5 million tablets have been ordered. The UK-based nongovernmental organization, International Health Partners, has donated 600 000 primaquine tablets that can treat 18 000 people.
WHO's Regional Director inspects flood-affected southern Pakistan, 5 September
5 September, 2010, Multan – WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hussein A. Gezairy visited areas in southern Punjab today affected by Pakistan's devastating floods, meeting with senior health officials and assessing one of the health facilities dedicated to treating diarrhoeal disease cases.
Dr Hussein Gezairy praised the work of Punjab's provincial health authorities in their response to this unprecedented crisis, which has left millions of people vulnerable to waterborne diseases and destroyed and damaged hospitals and clinics.
Accompanying Dr Gezairy were Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr. Mian Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Secretary of Health, Mr Khushnnod Lashari, and Dr. Jehanzeb Aurakzai, the coordinator of Pakistan's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Network.
Dr Gezairy was flown by helicopter to survey the impact of the flooding in the Punjab districts of Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Dhin Panah, Rajanpur and Layyah. Later, Dr Gezairy helped open the WHO-supported 25-bed diarrhoea treatment centre, run by Save the Children, in Multan city's Fatima Hospital. More than 10 medical staff operate the centre around the clock. The centre is one of several operating in southern Punjab, along with the 47-bed facility run by the UK-based nongovernmental organization, the Medical Emergency Relief International (MERLIN).
Since the flood crisis started in late July, more than 3 million people have received medical consultations in Punjab, including 361 718 for acute diarrhoea, 618 165 for skin diseases, 444 193 for acute respiratory infections and 374 suspected malaria cases. At least 242 health facilities were damaged or destroyed in the province.
In response, WHO has distributed medicines to partners to cover the potential health needs of 703 000 people in Punjab, including 57 emergency health kits, 63 diarrhoeal disease kits and 150 vials of anti-snake venom.
WHO's Regional Director arrives in Pakistan to support flood health relief efforts, 4 September
Islamabad, 4 September, 2010 – WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hussein A. Gezairy arrives today in Islamabad on a mission to assess the health impact of Pakistan's floods, take stock of the health sector response and commit WHO's continuing support to immediate and longer-term health relief and recovery efforts.
"The health threats posed by this disaster are immense and while the response to date has managed to provide health care to more than 4.4 million people, much more clearly needs to be done to save the lives and reduce the suffering of many flood-affected people," said Dr Hussein Gezairy, the Regional Director of WHO's Eastern Mediterranean office. During his visit, Dr Gezairy will visit areas hard hit by the flooding, where large-scale population displacement, destroyed and damaged health facilities, and poor hygiene and sanitation conditions fan the threat of water- and vector-borne diseases and severely impact on the delivery of routine health care.
Dr Gezairy will also assess the progress of WHO's operations in Pakistan and the activities of the Health Cluster network of national and international health partners who are working together to respond to the massive needs throughout the country. WHO has provided medicines capable of treating around 3.7 million people and has established coordination hubs in Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Multan, Sukkur and Hyderabad. More than 20 international staff have been deployed to Pakistan from within WHO's global network. WHO has also supported the deployment of international health experts to help deliver health care services within fixed health facilities or mobile medical teams.
Dr Gezairy will meet Federal, Provincial and District health officials during his visit, along with United Nations partners, Health Cluster members and donor governments supporting relief efforts.
