City outpaces rest of Sindh in dengue cases

Province records 2,055 cases in Sept and Oct alone

KARACHI:

Karachi has reported more dengue cases this year than all other districts of Sindh combined, with 2,369 infections recorded in the provincial capital against 2,100 across the rest of the province, as the mosquito-borne disease gained further ground, infecting 2,055 people across Sindh in September and October alone.

This puts Karachi at the centre of the province's growing dengue crisis, with the two-month tally exceeding the 1,992 cases reported during the preceding eight months of the year.

According to Sindh Health Department statistics, there was a sharp rise in infections towards the end of the year. Karachi has emerged as the biggest hotspot, with 269 more infections than the rest of the province combined.

In Karachi alone, 943 cases were reported during September and October, including 495 in October and 448 in September. The city has also recorded one dengue-related death this year.

Morning and evening bites pose a risk

Explaining the transmission, symptoms and preventive measures, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Consultant Physician and Assistant Professor Dr Umar Sultan said dengue was transmitted through the bite of an infected female mosquito, which was particularly active during early morning and evening hours.

He said the mosquito breeds in clean, stagnant water, making the removal of standing water from homes, streets and neighbourhoods essential to preventing its proliferation.

The prominent symptoms of dengue include sudden high fever, severe headaches and intense body aches. Some patients may also develop red spots on their skin, while severe cases can involve bleeding from the nose and mouth.

Dr Sultan explained that dengue could reduce the platelet count in the blood, affecting the body's ability to form clots and increasing the risk of bleeding and potentially life-threatening complications.

He stressed that timely diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment were essential whenever symptoms appeared.

Health experts have advised citizens to use mosquito nets, insect repellents and other protective measures to avoid mosquito bites.