ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a high-alert warning of a potential severe dengue outbreak in major cities of Punjab and flood-affected areas, urging citizens, health officials, and district administrations to take urgent preventive measures.
⚠️ Rising Risk After Floods
Since late August, floods in Punjab have:
- Killed 104 people
- Affected 4.5 million residents
- Displaced 2.5 million people
As floodwaters recede toward Sindh, stagnant water and favorable weather have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, according to PDMA.
“It is predicted that this season poses an unprecedentedly high risk of a severe dengue outbreak, particularly in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Multan, and flood-hit areas across Punjab,” the PDMA alert stated.
🦟 Preventive Measures Urged
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia appealed for immediate action:
- Avoid water accumulation around homes
- Maintain strict cleanliness
- Ensure drainage in flood relief camps
- Health agencies to remain on high alert, spraying insecticides and larvicides
Dengue Situation in Pakistan
- Endemic disease: Dengue is transmitted year-round in Pakistan with seasonal peaks.
- First death in 2025: Reported in Sindh on June 3.
- Islamabad: Reported 11 new cases in a single day earlier this month.
- WHO warning: Flood-hit areas face higher risk of vector-borne diseases including malaria, dengue, diarrhea, and typhoid due to unsafe water and overcrowded camps.
