Dengue, chikungunya cases surge in Karachi

Karachi and other parts of Sindh are grappling with surge in mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue, chikungunya, and malaria.

The alarming rise in cases has prompted medical experts to sound the alarm, citing insufficient government measures for water drainage and fumigation following recent rains.

According to doctors, dengue and chikungunya cases have skyrocketed in Karachi, while malaria is more prevalent in rural areas of Sindh.

Emergency rooms in major hospitals are overwhelmed with patients suffering from severe symptoms like high fever, joint pain, and low platelet counts, particularly in dengue cases. 

The surge in mosquito-borne diseases is attributed to ineffective drainage systems, open water storages in homes, and a lack of disinfectant spraying.

Official figures reveal a 135% increase in dengue cases during the first seven months of this year compared to 2023, with 1,167 reported cases in Sindh, including 1,022 in Karachi alone. Malaria cases have reached 149,102, with 1,074 reported in Karachi.

As of now, Sindh has reported 1,167 dengue cases, with 1,022 of these in Karachi alone. Similarly, malaria cases have reached 149,102, with 1,074 reported in Karachi.

District East of the metropolitan city has reported the highest number of dengue cases at 329, while District Malir has the highest malaria count with 543 cases.