Karachi unprepared for post-rain outbreaks

With the early warning system still not active, the coming days might see a rise in water-borne illness

KARACHI:

Even though the water accumulated across areas in the city might subside gradually within a few days, the after effects of the downpours linger for much longer, as water-borne illnesses and reptile bites threaten locals in the absence of a functional early warning system.

Around the world, an early warning system alerts locals on various diseases arising after floods and rains, but unfortunately in Sindh, this system has not been activated according to modern requirements. The department relieves itself of its responsibility by issuing a two-line alert notification, but in reality, the aftermath of the rains often brings a host of diseases, entailing fatal repercussions for the local population.

In Sindh, the early warning system, which helps identify the spread of various diseases, exists only on the health department's records. In practice, the system is inactive at a time when floods and torrential rains have upped the risk of various epidemics including dengue, malaria, measles, diarrhea and typhoid spreading due to polluted water. Furthermore, the stagnant water has also propelled incidents of snake and reptile bites in interior Sindh.

It is worth mentioning that in October 2024, the first provincial project titled the "Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System" was created in Sindh with the aim of ensuring timely reporting, analysis and response of diseases possible in all districts. However, the system could not be activated till date.

Dr Ikram Sultan, former Director of Health Karachi, revealed that where 70 drains in the city remained uncleaned, there was no early warning system in Sindh to alert citizens during natural calamities and raise awareness on the spread of diseases.

"It is sad to note that there is no institution in the province to provide timely information on diseases, natural disasters and flood situations. The National Disaster Management System should be made more consolidated," informed Dr Sultan.

Experts have predicted that as a result of floods and heavy rains across Sindh, the resurgence of various diseases will take a horrific turn, with the incidence of water-borne diseases like the dengue virus and malaria expected to surge due to the accumulation of water. Stagnant water is known to produce larvae for the dengue virus and harbour malaria eggs, which breed very rapidly in the monsoon season.

According to Dr Khalid Bukhari, Medical Superintendent at the Civil Hospital Karachi, after the heavy rain spell in Sindh including Karachi, the breeding of mosquitoes and flies will be rapid due to which the dengue virus and malaria will spread rampantly. "Dengue treatment is done through platelets and is very expensive at private hospitals. The disease can reach fatal levels. Steps have been taken to deal with the situation arising out of the rains and a dengue ward is also being set up in the hospital," said Dr Bukhari.

Similarly, Dr Pir Ghulam Nabi Shah Jilani, Medical Superintendent at the Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas, revealed that heavy rains were continuing across interior Sindh, increasing the risk of snake, mosquito and scorpion bites and malnutrition among the locals. "Since the supply of foods is halted, pregnant women and their babies are also suffering from malnutrition.