Rising dengue cases

Now it is dengue in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. In the past two months, a worrying increase in dengue cases has been noted in Karachi. In September, 927 cases were reported and 900 cases in October. There is nothing surprising about this trend because in the beginning of winter season, when it is neither too hot nor too cold, the weather is conducive to fast breeding of mosquitoes; and similar is the case at the end of the season in February and March. The situation is no different in other parts of Sindh as 2,000 cases have been reported there in the ongoing year. Obviously, the lack of cleanliness in all parts of the province has provided a fertile ground for the rapid breeding of mosquitoes.

However, an official of the provincial government has described the spike in dengue cases in the above- mentioned months as a global phenomenon, saying a rise in the incidence of dengue is observed across the world in September, October and November. He says that now the situation is better than last year: in October 2019, around 6,000 cases were reported whereas in the same month this year the number is less than 1,000. He claims that aerial spray is being carried out in areas hit hard by the dengue virus.

The official has, however, not mentioned the piles of garbage lying uncollected in most parts of Karachi and other places of the province. It is common knowledge that lack of cleanliness is an open invitation to diseases. The official’s assertions come as nothing but a pompous pretension when we look at the reality on the ground. This is not outright denial with regard to the rising incidence of dengue fever but it is something hard to believe. The best way to solve a problem is to make self-deceiving claims about its solution. It is a great art to laugh at one’s own misfortunes. So laugh it off.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2020.

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