Dengue rears its ugly head in Karachi

Among the various seasonal epidemics plaguing public health in the country, dengue appears to top the list, with thousands of people infected with the vector-borne illness each year, due largely to the negligence of the preventative authorities.

Despite the Sindh government allocating nearly Rs288 million for the dengue program during 2021 to 2024, the spread of the deadly virus could not be controlled due to a lack of communication between the health agencies. In light of the sluggish preventative efforts undertaken by the dengue control authorities this season, health experts have expressed their admonitions that in case no effective campaign is launched to eradicate dengue during the upcoming days, the virus may emerge as a major healthcare emergency towards the end of the year.

“The spread of dengue is expected to intensify this season since four mixed serotype viruses have been added to the genome of the mosquitoes. Hence, now it has become mandatory to spray disinfectants on an emergency basis in Sindh, including Karachi where the abundance of different types of mosquito larva is concerning. The dengue virus can attack with full force from September to December,” forestalled Dr Rafiq Khanani, an infectious disease expert.

According to the data released by the Director General Health Services for Vector Bone Disease Sindh, nearly 1,579 people have been affected by the dengue virus in September 2024 across Sindh, with the majority of cases arising out of Karachi East, where one death was also reported. Although surveys carried out in different districts of Karachi during previous years, revealed as many as 55 dengue hotspots, no dengue survey was conducted in 2024 to identify possible breeding grounds of the larva.

Furthermore, a senior health expert, went on to disclose that fogging too had not been done effectively in Karachi since the past several years, due to which there was a possibility of a further increase in the number of dengue cases.  District Health Officers, he said, are responsible for the fogging campaigns, but they appear to have failed in fulfilling their duties. “The fumigation staff is not administratively under the authority of the DHO’s hence one to two officers are deployed in each district which is insufficient for fogging all areas in Karachi,” he added.

Not prepared

While adequate preventative measures were surely non-existent, an on-ground assessment of the Jinnah, Civil and Abbasi Shaheed Hospitals revealed that the dengue wards were also dysfunctional, as a result of which most of the patients were being directed towards private hospitals, which were fairly costly. 

Ambar Shaikh, a supervisor at a blood bank in PECHS, revealed that whenever the dengue season began, purchasing single and mega platelets became a challenge for patients. “Last year, during dengue, single platelets were sold at Rs10,000 while mega platelets cost between Rs25,000 to Rs30,000. At present, as the disease spreads, the cost of platelet bags is likely to increase further,” predicted Shaikh.

According to Dr Samreen Sarfaraz, Head of the Infectious Disease Department at the Indus Hospital, dengue has become an epidemic, mainly due to the breeding of mosquitoes after the monsoon season. “The dengue mosquito breeds in stagnant water. Therefore, dengue cases rise due to ineffective mosquito control. Hence, citizens are advised to take proper preventative measures,” advised Dr Sarfaraz. 

Commenting on the matter, Dr Mushtaq Shah, Director of the Dengue Control Program assured that technical assistance was offered to disease prevention officials for the elimination of mosquito larvae. Shah claimed that the spraying campaign is under the supervision of the District Health Officers and has been started in many areas.

However, sources familiar with the details said the provincial administration has already missed the timeline for the spraying campaign, making it nearly ineffective in controlling the surge in dengue cases.