Dengue cases surge sharply across K-P

Province reports 1,510 infections in October, with Kohat emerging as the worst-hit district

PESHAWAR:

Dengue virus infections are rising sharply across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, with 1,510 cases reported during October so far, including 99 new infections confirmed in the past 24 hours, according to the provincial health department.

The department's daily dengue situation report identified Kohat as the worst-affected district, reporting 975 cases during October, followed by Peshawar with 209 cases. The total number of confirmed dengue infections in the province has reached 4,091 this year, while one death has been reported in Dera Ismail Khan.

According to the district-wise report for 2026, Kohat and Peshawar remain the main hotspots, although infections have also been reported in Bannu, Charsadda, Haripur, Abbottabad, Hangu, Nowshera and several other districts.

The province currently has 144 active dengue cases, with Kohat accounting for 80. Bannu has 24 active cases, Peshawar 18, Hangu nine, Charsadda seven, DI Khan three, Nowshera two and Lakki Marwat one.

Kohat's situation remains particularly concerning, with 2,567 cases recorded since the beginning of the year. These include 42 cases in July, 387 in August, 1,116 in September and 975 in October, reflecting the continued spread of the virus in the district.

In Peshawar, the annual tally has reached 566, including 75 cases in August, 144 in September and 209 in October.

Other districts have also reported a significant number of infections. Bannu recorded 81 cases during October, followed by Charsadda with 37, Haripur with 34, Abbottabad with 21, and Hangu and Nowshera with 20 each.

The report showed 17 cases in Karak, 14 in DI Khan, 11 in Lakki Marwat, 10 in Bajaur, seven each in Swabi and Lower Chitral, three in Malakand and one in Mardan. Two cases were reported in Battagram, while no infections were recorded in Upper Chitral.

Several districts, including Shangla, Upper Dir, Upper Kohistan, Kolai-Palas, Lower and Upper South Waziristan, Lower and Upper Kurram and Torghar, reported no cases this year.

The monthly figures indicate a marked increase in infections since August. The province recorded 115 cases from January through May, 90 in June, 111 in July, 573 in August, 1,692 in September and 1,510 so far in October.

Health officials have urged residents to take preventive measures to curb the spread of dengue. People have been advised to prevent water from accumulating in homes, streets and neighbourhoods, keep water containers covered and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites.

Residents experiencing fever, severe headaches, body aches, joint pain or other suspected symptoms have been advised to seek prompt medical attention.