Dengue alert

Pakistan seems to be trapped in an endless cycle, one where the fight against preventable diseases never truly ends. This is particularly evident in the country’s persistent struggle with mosquito-borne illnesses. Now, at a time when polio cases have been constantly increasing, the government is faced with yet another challenge: rising dengue cases. Given how the virus wreaked havoc in the country a couple of years back, coming up with a health plan takes on new urgency when we consider how fast the virus spreads. In the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi alone, over 300 cases of dengue have emerged in just a few days, a worrying indicator of what might lie ahead. While the disease has not claimed lives yet, any leniency on the part of the government could quickly spiral into a disaster if left unchecked. The seasonal outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases after rain is not unexpected, but it remains unfortunate – and, frankly, inexcusable – that the health authorities still fail to take preemptive measures to contain the spread of the virus.

Water-clearing activities that start after rain showers usually focus on busy roads and other thoroughfares to keep the main traffic moving. What is left behind from the government’s cleaning drive are a majority of residential areas where standing water – both dirty and fresh rainwater – poses a threat to human health. Similarly, spraying of insecticide to control the mosquito population is also non-existent in most places. The government’s reactive approach – waiting for an emergency to respond – is an unsustainable strategy that repeatedly puts people at risk. Preventive measures should not hinge on the arrival of a crisis. Pakistan needs a sustained, year-round effort to combat dengue and other diseases. A proactive public health campaign, focused on prevention, is essential. The government should immediately launch initiatives, including the establishment of small camps in residential areas, where free mosquito repellents can be distributed to low-income families. Awareness campaigns must also be rolled out to educate citizens on how to reduce the risk of mosquitoes in their homes and communities.

Alarmingly, dengue is not the only mosquito-borne illness currently haunting us. In Karachi, chikungunya, another debilitating virus, has quietly spread through private clinics and hospitals, with patients experiencing high fevers and agonizing joint pains. While chikungunya may not have reached the level of a public health emergency, the government would do well to take note now, before it spirals into a full-blown crisis. In a post-Covid world, viruses have gained an alarming resilience, and the potential for rapid spread is greater than ever. We have seen how quickly diseases can overwhelm public health systems. Given this reality, the state must take robust preventive action, not just in response to outbreaks but to avert them altogether. Despite dengue being an ongoing issue for years, it is frustrating and deeply concerning that Pakistan still lacks a coherent, nationwide plan to prevent its spread. This neglect speaks volumes about the priorities of health authorities and the government’s overall approach to public health. No nation, let alone a nuclear-armed country, should be allowed to be held hostage by mosquitoes.