Mosquito alert

Karachi faces rising dengue cases amid poor sanitation and delayed fumigation, risking a severe public health crisis.

As Karachiites grapple with the ongoing rise in mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya, it is clear that the city's delayed fumigation efforts have failed to produce the desired results. Data from the Sindh Health Department reveals a sharp rise in dengue cases, with over 1,500 people affected in September alone, mostly from District East, where a death was also reported. This sharp increase is largely due to poor waste management and sanitation, including malfunctioning disposal system, and an overall unhygienic environment in the city, which have created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease vectors.

The delay in fumigation, combined with ineffective municipal services, has worsened the situation. Despite efforts by the KMC and SSWMB to cover 70 per cent of the city in fumigation, the current approach has not curbed the spread of these diseases. Residents continue to suffer from not only mosquito-borne illnesses but also diseases like typhoid and rhinovirus infections, spurred by the general lack of cleanliness. It is widely known that 70-80% of infectious diseases can be reduced simply through proper sanitation and access to clean drinking water. Yet, Karachi struggles with basic waste management of domestic and hospital waste. The severity of the situation is feared to worsen as these environmental factors remain unaddressed.

Without a sustainable strategy, Karachi is at risk of facing a severe public health crisis in the coming months. The municipal authorities must act urgently, prioritising the city's sanitation and health infrastructure to avoid further outbreaks. The focus needs to shift from delayed reactive measures to proactive and ongoing solutions that tackle the root causes, including cleaning the city and ensuring regular fumigation. Apart from that, proper waste disposal mechanisms must be formulated and implemented.