Malaria cases in Sindh fall 25 per cent

Lower rainfall helps bring infections down by 31,000 compared with last year

KARACHI:

Sindh has recorded a 25% decline in malaria cases this year, with 90,853 infections reported so far compared with around 122,000 during the corresponding period last year, according to data released by the provincial health department. The figures show that around 31,000 fewer cases have been reported this year.

Hyderabad Division has reported the highest number of cases, with 35,094 infections, followed by Larkana with 27,057, Shaheed Benazirabad with 10,200 and Sukkur with 9,949 cases. Mirpurkhas Division reported 7,781 cases, while Karachi recorded the lowest number at 772.

Health experts attributed the decline partly to relatively lower monsoon rainfall this year, adding that stagnant water provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit malaria.

Doctors said heavy rainfall often results in water accumulating in residential areas and other locations, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding and increasing the risk of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Experts, however, cautioned against relying solely on lower rainfall to control the disease. They stressed the need to prevent water from accumulating around homes and in neighbourhoods, eliminate mosquito breeding sites and use mosquito nets and repellents.

Timely diagnosis and treatment are also crucial, they said.

Doctors said common malaria symptoms include fever, chills, shivering, sweating, headache and body aches. In some cases, the disease can become severe and potentially life-threatening.

They advised people experiencing persistent or recurring fever to seek medical attention and undergo the necessary tests rather than self-medicate.

Despite the decline in cases, health experts warned that the situation could change during the monsoon season as fluctuations in rainfall and temperature may affect mosquito breeding.

They called for continued malaria surveillance, mosquito-control measures and public awareness campaigns across the province.