Dengue cases in Sindh have surged by 135% in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2023, according to a report by the Sindh Health Department released on Friday. So far, 1,167 cases of dengue fever have been reported across the province, with Karachi bearing the brunt of the outbreak, recording 1,022 cases.
The health department’s data reveals a stark increase from last year, with 1,034 dengue cases reported in Sindh between January and July 2024, compared to just 440 cases during the same timeframe in 2023. This significant rise has raised concerns about the spread of the vector-borne disease, particularly in urban areas.
Karachi’s District East has reported the highest number of cases, with 329 people affected. District Central follows with 241 cases, while District South has reported 197 cases. District Korangi recorded 86 cases, Keamari 66, District West 60, and District Malir 43, indicating that the disease is widespread across the city.
Outside Karachi, other regions have also seen an uptick in dengue cases. Hyderabad reported 83 cases, Mirpurkhas 34, and Sukkur 12. Additionally, Larkana and Shaheed Benazirabad each reported eight cases. These figures highlight that while Karachi is the epicenter of the outbreak, dengue fever is also spreading in other parts of Sindh.
The surge in cases has also resulted in a fatality in Karachi, underscoring the severity of the outbreak. The health department continues to monitor the situation closely and urges the public to take preventive measures against mosquito bites, as the monsoon season can further exacerbate the spread of the disease.
