By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

In a follow-up on the first ever local transmission of dengue fever in Afghanistan, the World Health Organization (WHO) now reports that at least 14 cases total, half are autochthonous.

Aedes albopictus/FotoshopTofs

The 14 cases were reported from six provinces: Faryab (1 case), Kabul (3 cases), and four provinces bordering Pakistan, where a large outbreak of dengue fever is ongoing: Paktita (1 case); Laghman (1 case); Paktya (2 cases); Nangarhar (6 cases).

One of the seven autochthonous cases died due to hemorrhagic fever. Six other cases had traveled to dengue endemic countries, including four people to Pakistan and two people to India. One case had an unknown travel history.

WHO says this is the first time that autochthonous transmission of dengue fever has been reported in Afghanistan and is a cause for concern because of the serious public health impact of the disease.

The public health response following a high-level emergency meeting led by the Deputy Minister of Policy and Planning conducted on 25 November 2019 include identifying high-risk areas, dengue surveillance; including vector surveillance, laboratory testing for dengue, case management and developing the case definition and guidelines for diagnosis and care for patients.