Pakistan's Sindh reports nearly 1,000 new dengue cases amid disease outbreak

Patients suffering from dengue fever rest under mosquito nets at a hospital in Karachi on October 4, 2022. (AFP/File)
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  • Currently, 226 dengue patients are admitted in government hospitals and 203 in private hospitals across Sindh
  • Officials have urged people to remove standing water, cover containers and eliminate mosquito breeding sites

Karachi: Health authorities in Pakistan's southern Sindh province have confirmed 999 dengue cases in the last 24 hours, the Sindh Health Department said on Saturday night, amid an outbreak of the disease in the region.

According to the data, 3,827 tests were conducted in Karachi Division with 535 positive cases confirmed, while in Hyderabad Division 1,323 tests were carried out resulting in 464 positive cases.

During the last 24 hours, 105 new dengue patients were admitted to government hospitals, while private hospitals reported 87 new admissions. Meanwhile, 218 patients recovered from the disease.

"No dengue-related death was reported in the province during this period," Sindh Health Secretary Rehan Baloch, adding the provincial government is closely monitoring the situation.

The number of dengue cases recorded across Sindh this month has reached 6,199, while the total number of cases reported so far this year has risen to 11,763. Currently, 226 dengue patients are admitted in government hospitals and 203 in private hospitals across Sindh, according to the health secretary.

A total of 983 beds have been allocated for dengue patients in public sector hospitals, including 256 in Karachi, 165 in Hyderabad, and 562 across the rest of the province. In the private sector, 475 beds have been reserved, including 200 in Karachi, 209 in Hyderabad, and 66 in the remaining districts.

"Monitoring efforts continue as the health department is currently receiving data from 56 laboratories across the province," the health department said.

Dengue outbreaks are reported annually across Pakistan, with major cities such as Karachi and Lahore often recording the highest number of cases. The latest surge in Sindh comes as several South Asian countries report a seasonal rise in dengue infections linked to heavy rains and poor drainage conditions.

Provincial health officials have urged people to remove standing water, cover containers and eliminate mosquito breeding sites as part of a prevention campaign.