The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) alerted that ten major Pakistani cities may experience a dengue outbreak in October and urged stakeholders to adopt preemptive measures.
Dengue is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and lacks a cure or vaccine. In its severe form, the disease can be fatal, presenting symptoms such as high fever, headaches, and muscle pain that typically persist for a week.
The PMD’s advisory highlighted that conditions have become favourable for the onset of dengue since mid-September. It anticipates outbreaks in October, especially in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Larkana, and Multan.
Stakeholders are encouraged to implement preventive actions, and national health agencies and dengue control centres are advised to stay informed through the PMD’s website.
Dengue outbreaks are common post-monsoon, from September 20 to December 5. Mosquito activity peaking shortly after sunrise and just before sunset. Mosquito breeding ceases when temperatures fall below 16°C.
Read: Malaria and Dengue Outbreaks Surge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Endemic in Pakistan, dengue sees year-round transmission with seasonal peaks. In 2022, post-mid-June floods led to 79,007 confirmed cases and 149 fatalities. In contrast, in 2023, there were 3,019 suspected cases and eight deaths.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 7 million dengue cases in the Americas by April 2024. This indicates a global surge exacerbated by climate change and underscores the persistent public health threat the virus poses worldwide.
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