ISLAMABAD: Health authorities in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province have reported 999 new dengue cases within the past 24 hours, the Sindh Health Department announced, as the region grapples with a growing outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease.
According to official data, a total of 3,827 tests were conducted in Karachi Division, confirming 535 dengue cases, while 1,323 tests in Hyderabad Division resulted in 464 positive cases.
Over the past 24 hours, 105 new dengue patients were admitted to government hospitals, and 87 to private healthcare facilities. Meanwhile, 218 patients successfully recovered from the illness.
“No dengue-related deaths were reported in the province during this period,” said Sindh Health Secretary Rehan Baloch, adding that the provincial government continues to closely monitor the situation.
This month alone, Sindh has recorded 6,199 dengue cases, bringing the total number of infections reported so far this year to 11,763.
Currently, 226 patients are receiving treatment in government hospitals and 203 in private hospitals across the province, according to the health secretary.
To manage the outbreak, 983 beds have been allocated for dengue patients in public hospitals — including 256 in Karachi, 165 in Hyderabad, and 562 across other districts.
In the private sector, 475 beds have been reserved, comprising 200 in Karachi, 209 in Hyderabad, and 66 in the remaining areas.
“Monitoring efforts continue as the health department is currently receiving data from 56 laboratories across the province,” the health department said.
Provincial health officials have urged people to remove standing water, cover containers, and eliminate mosquito breeding sites as part of a prevention campaign.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne illness transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is currently no specific cure or vaccine for dengue fever.
In severe cases, the disease can be life-threatening. Infected individuals often experience intense flu-like symptoms, including high fever, severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, as well as nausea and vomiting. These symptoms usually last for about a week.
Dense populations in cities aggravate the spread of dengue fever, which is usually more common in the monsoon season from June to September.
Increasing temperatures and longer monsoons, both linked to climate change, have provided favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, driving the rapid increase in the virus.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says dengue has emerged as the most widespread and rapidly increasing vector-borne disease in the world.
