Dengue-free Pakistan

With nearly half the world’s population at risk, dengue has evolved from a seasonal disease to a global health threat -- and Pakistan is in no position to take this lightly. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates 100 to 400 million dengue infections every year, a staggering figure that underscores the urgency of preventive measures. Closer to home, Sindh recently reported its first dengue-related death of the year, a grim reminder that the virus continues to claim lives while our public health response lags dangerously behind. The crisis, particularly in Sindh, is rapidly escalating. So far, 295 cases have been reported in the province -- with Karachi alone accounting for nearly 260. This spike follows recent rains, which once again exposed the deep dysfunction in local governance. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) admitted it could only drain rainwater from main roads, passing the buck to town municipal corporations for cleaning residential areas. This lack of coordination is a failure that costs lives.

While provinces like Punjab, historically hard-hit, have managed to keep a relatively low case count this season, Sindh stands out for all the wrong reasons. Prevention is the only real defence against dengue, given the absence of a vaccine. Yet in many parts of Sindh, mosquito spraying campaigns are either token or entirely missing. Standing water -- a notorious breeding ground for dengue-carrying mosquitoes -- remains untouched in many neighbourhoods, often hidden behind mountains of uncollected garbage. The result: an environment primed for disease. The 2022 floods should have been a wake-up call. Displaced communities in Sindh and Balochistan then suffered not just from displacement but from swarms of giant mosquitoes and the diseases they carried. But if there were lessons learned, they’ve long since been shelved. The WHO has laid out clear, actionable guidelines: wear protective clothing, use mosquito nets (especially during daytime sleep), install window screens, apply repellents and ensure proper waste disposal. These are simple measures, yet their successful implementation hinges on robust public education and a functioning civic infrastructure.

It is time our provincial governments treated this as a public health emergency. Awareness campaigns must reach every citizen. Municipal bodies should be empowered with not just mandates but also the budgets needed to clean and sanitise urban and rural areas alike. Trash piles must be cleared, and stagnant water must be drained without delay. The tools are available; what’s missing is political will and coordinated action. While the current numbers remain within a manageable range, complacency now could spiral into an uncontrollable crisis in the coming weeks. Every day of inaction widens the window for the virus to spread further. Pakistan cannot afford another preventable health disaster. All provinces must urgently come together, devise a unified national strategy and act. Dengue may be a mosquito-borne disease, but in Pakistan, it thrives on mismanagement.