KARACHI: Sindh’s programme manager of Dengue Prevention and Control Programme Dr Masood Solangi on Tuesday said that the health department has started tests to diagnose dengue and malaria in Ibrahim Haidery, Malir and other areas of Karachi.

Dr Masood Solangi has been recently named as the provincial focal person for Chikungunya control and management programme.

Dr Solangi has said that in Ibrahim Haidery four cases of malaria and one patient of dengue has been diagnosed. He said hundreds of patients in the area are suspected of infected by Chikungunya viral disease.

Dengue and Chikungunya virus is carried by the same mosquito adding malaria all three diseases have same symptoms, doctors said.

The focal person has been tasked to coordinate with departments concerned and municipal agencies to effectively eradicate the vector responsible for the spread of the viral infection in the province, especially in Karachi.—INP