Dengue and Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases Surge in Pakistan’s Major Cities
Pakistan is currently experiencing a significant increase in dengue fever cases, largely due to the climatic conditions following the monsoon, along with poor urbanization and sanitation. These factors have also led to the spread of other mosquito-borne diseases like chikungunya, Zika virus, and malaria.
Health Experts Raise Concerns
Health experts and officials have warned about the rising number of cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a global effort through its Global Strategic Preparedness, Readiness, and Response Plan (SPRP).
Major Cities Affected
This year, dengue cases have sharply increased in major cities such as Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has identified the current conditions as favorable for the growth of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
Underreporting of Cases
Health professionals warn that the actual number of cases is significantly underreported. In Rawalpindi, more than 150 dengue samples are sent for testing daily, yet provincial data remains inconsistent. The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports over 250 chikungunya cases weekly, but officials believe the real numbers could be much higher due to limited PCR testing.
Impact of Zika Virus
In Karachi, the Zika virus poses additional challenges, especially for pregnant women, as it can cause severe birth defects like microcephaly.
Contributing Factors
Unplanned urbanization, poor sanitation, and climate change have accelerated the spread of these diseases. Stagnant water from monsoon rains, inadequate waste disposal, and ineffective public health infrastructure make densely populated cities particularly vulnerable.
Doubts Revealed
Dengue -: Dengue is a disease caused by a virus that is spread by mosquitoes. It can make people very sick with high fever, severe headache, and joint pain.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases -: These are illnesses that are spread to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Examples include dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus.
Pakistan -: Pakistan is a country in South Asia, located next to India. It has many big cities like Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.
Monsoon -: Monsoon is a season of heavy rain that happens in South Asia, including India and Pakistan. It usually occurs from June to September.
Urbanization -: Urbanization is the process where more people start living in cities instead of villages. It can lead to crowded places and sometimes poor living conditions.
Sanitation -: Sanitation refers to keeping places clean and free from germs. Good sanitation helps prevent diseases.
World Health Organization -: The World Health Organization, or WHO, is a global organization that works to keep people healthy and safe from diseases.
Chikungunya -: Chikungunya is another disease spread by mosquitoes, causing fever and severe joint pain.
Zika Virus -: Zika is a virus spread by mosquitoes that can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman gets infected.
Climate Change -: Climate change refers to long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns. It can affect how diseases spread.