Dengue outbreak 2018 in district Shangla KPK; clinical features and laboratory markers of dengue virus infection

Abstract

Aim: To analyze and quantify the 2018 dengue outbreak which occurred in district Shangla, Pakistan. Materials & methods: 964 suspected dengue samples were collected and examined for clinical manifestation and laboratory markers. Results: In all, 375 suspected cases were confirmed with dengue virus infection using nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen, immunoglobulin M (IgM) & Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and real-time PCR whereas PCR was 92.2% sensitive. The most prevalent serotype was dengue virus 3 (60.26%). The male/female ratio was 1.84 and the most highly affected tehsil was Alpuri. The most affected age group was 16–40 years (70.4%). A significant number of cases were reported in September (48.54%). Conclusion: Recurrence of the dengue outbreaks in the study area could alarmingly increase the mortality rate, therefore, proper measures are essential to control dengue epidemics in the future.