PMD warns of potential dengue outbreak in 10 major cities in October

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a warning on Thursday that at least 10 major cities in Pakistan could face a dengue outbreak in October, urging all stakeholders to take “preemptive measures.”

Dengue is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, and there is currently no cure or vaccine for the illness. In severe cases, dengue can lead to fatalities. Symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and nausea, typically lasting about a week.

“Based on the analysis, the environment has become conducive from mid-September for dengue onset and it is predicted that it may outbreak in October, particularly in ten major cities of Pakistan,” the PMD said in its advisory. The cities mentioned include Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Larkana, and Multan.

The PMD advised stakeholders to take preventive measures and urged national health agencies and dengue control centers to stay updated through the PMD website.

Dengue outbreaks typically occur in the post-monsoon season, which runs from September 20 to December 5, with peak mosquito activity occurring two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset. Breeding halts when temperatures drop below 16°C.

Dengue is endemic in Pakistan, with year-round transmission and seasonal surges. In 2022, the country saw a significant rise in dengue cases following mid-June flooding, with 79,007 confirmed cases and 149 deaths. By comparison, 2023 reported 3,019 suspected cases and eight deaths.

Globally, dengue cases have surged, with the World Health Organization (WHO) noting over 7 million cases in the Americas by April 2024, surpassing the previous year’s record of 4.6 million. Climate change has exacerbated the spread of the virus, which remains a high-risk public health threat worldwide.