Kavita Bisht
The health situation continues to worsen in the Islamic Republic of Iran after the country reports 63 new cases of dengue fever taking the total number of cases over the past two months to 138. Deputy Minister of Health Saeed Karimi claimed that dengue fever is the most severe threat to Iran’s population’s health, stressing the need for a solution.
Karimi said on Tuesday most of the patients were identified as travelers originating from Persian Gulf countries, adding that the disease had affected seven provinces. The Ministry of Health has not ruled out speculations of a possible peak of outbreak in September and October after three people succumbed to the disease in June.
A Growing Threat
The first instance of dengue fever in Iran occurred in 2008, in a patient with a travel history to Malaysia. It, which is spread through the bite of the mosquito and is prevalent in tropical as well as subtropical climate, has emerged as a big concern since then. According to the World Health Organization, dengue is a potentially severe disease characterized by high temperature, severe headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea and vomiting and skin rashes. Although most cases are not dangerous, severe dengue can be lethal, and an individual should seek hospitalization.
A Healthcare System Under Strain
The existing healthcare situation in Iran is rather dire because of severe scarcity of physicians and nurses, and owing to the severe and continuous economic crisis in the country. The sharp decline in cases of dengue fever poses great danger that will compromise an already stretched health care delivery system. Most health facilities are stressed to contain the increasing number of patients while at the same time deal with the continued transmission of the virus.
Global Context
The case of Iran seems to be Following a worrying tendency that is increasingly being observed throughout the world. Dengue fever has increased significantly as per the information of WHO; cases stood at 505,430 in the year 2000 but in 2013 cases touched the figure of 6. 5 million in 2023. This virus has attacked up to 81 countries; the death that was caused by this virus was estimated at 7300 last year. A number of cases in many global regions are either not reported or are diagnosed incorrectly, making it difficult to rein in the spread of diseases.
Government Response
Due to this crisis, the Iranian government is increasing efforts to educate the public and perform mosquito eradication in efforts the defeat dengue fever. Still, with the flu epidemic season fast approaching, authorities are advising people and especially those commuting from regions of the epidemic to be more cautious.
Conclusion
Besides, in relation to this present dengue fever outbreak in the region, the primary concern of Iran’s health departments and authorities is to prevent the expansion of the disease and also ensure that those affected get appropriate treatment. What has happened demonstrates the pressing necessity of intensive actions and global cooperation in overcoming this continuously progressing problem.
