TODAY’S PAPER | October 23, 2025 | EPAPER

Sindh Health Department report 215,000 test positive for malaria this year

More than 890 cases of dengue reported from Jan 1 to Oct 15, says health minister


​ Our Correspondents October 17, 2025 2 min read
Source: Reuters

KARACHI/HYDERABAD:

A comprehensive report on malaria cases across the province reveals that 2,416,427 blood samples were screened this month, of which 215,270 tested positive for malaria.

According to the report, 181,362 cases were caused by Plasmodium vivax, 31,319 by Plasmodium falciparum, while 2,589 cases were mixed infections.

Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said the provincial government is utilising all available resources to eliminate malaria. She noted that it was encouraging that no deaths were reported this year, and only three patients were admitted to hospitals with cerebral malaria, all of whom received full treatment.

Providing further details, Dr Pechuho said the most affected districts include Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Badin, Thatta, Jacobabad, and Larkana, where preventive measures are being intensified.

Hyderabad Division recorded the highest number of 101,923 cases, including 7,054 in Hyderabad, 22,293 in Jamshoro, and 19,478 in Badin. Larkana Division reported 52,038 cases, followed by Mirpurkhas (19,323), Shaheed Benazirabad (23,439), Sukkur (17,021), and Karachi Division (3,072).

Dengue tally hits 819

The Sindh Health Department has released its latest report on confirmed dengue cases across the province, revealing that 175 new cases have been recorded so far this month. Since the beginning of 2025, the total number of confirmed dengue cases in Sindh has reached 819, with one fatality reported.

According to Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, the Karachi Division remains the most affected, with 85 cases reported so far. Hyderabad Division has recorded 48 cases, Mirpurkhas 37, while Sukkur Division has reported 5 cases to date.

Expressing deep concern over the rising trend, Dr Pechuho said the Sindh government is taking all possible measures to control the spread of dengue.

The minister appealed to citizens to cooperate with the authorities, stressing that dengue is a preventable disease.

"Avoid water stagnation in and around homes to help eliminate mosquito breeding sites," she advised.

Health Department teams are conducting daily surveillance of suspected and confirmed dengue cases across districts, working closely with local administrations to implement immediate preventive measures.

Dr Pechuho added that the Sindh government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partner agencies, is implementing a comprehensive vector-borne disease control plan targeting malaria, dengue, and similar infections.

She appealed to citizens to maintain cleanliness, avoid stagnant water, use mosquito nets, and seek immediate medical attention in case of fever or chills.

Vector-borne diseases

Deputy Director General vector-borne diseases Dr Mushtaq Ali Shah, addressing a press conference in Hyderabad, said that dengue claimed two lives recently including one in Karachi and the other in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

He said the malaria cases in Hyderabad division alone are almost equal to the cases in Karachi, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Larkana and Shaheed Benazirabad divisions combined.

He said the mosquito population always showed a surge after rains and floods. He played down the incidence of dengue cases, contending that the tests appearing positive on IGG and IGM kits are not credible.

He played down the incidence of dengue cases, contending that the tests appearing positive on IGG and IGM kits are not credible.

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