Malaria Cases Surge in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
The Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a significant rise in malaria cases, with over 93,000 cases reported in just one week. Karachi, the capital of Sindh, also recorded over 1,000 new cases during this period.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Health Adviser Ehtesham Ali noted 54,000 malaria cases in 2024 and urged District Health Officers to take immediate action. The southern districts are heavily affected, with district Khyber reporting 10,000 cases between January and August 2024.
Other affected areas include Shangla with 6,000 cases, Battagram with 3,000, DI Khan with 4,000, and both Tank and Karak with 2,000 cases each. Lakki Marwat reported 3,000 cases.
According to the World Health Organisation, malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death in Pakistan, exacerbated by the 2022 floods that damaged health infrastructure. Malaria is transmitted through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Doubts Revealed
Malaria -: Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It can cause fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms.
Sindh -: Sindh is a province in the southeastern part of Pakistan. It is known for its rich history and is home to the city of Karachi, which is the largest city in Pakistan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a province in the northwestern region of Pakistan. It is known for its mountainous terrain and cultural diversity.
Health Adviser Ehtesham Ali -: Ehtesham Ali is a health adviser in Pakistan who is responsible for providing guidance and making decisions related to health issues in the country.
World Health Organisation -: The World Health Organisation, or WHO, is a global organization that works to improve health and well-being around the world. They help countries deal with health issues like diseases and pandemics.
2022 floods -: The 2022 floods in Pakistan were severe floods that affected many parts of the country, causing damage to homes, infrastructure, and increasing the spread of diseases like malaria.