Pakistan facing outbreak of vector-borne diseases as WHO launches global response plan

ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan faces rising cases of mosquito-borne diseases following the retreat of the monsoon, a perfect storm of climatic conditions, urbanisation, and poor sanitation has created fertile ground for the spread of dengue, chikungunya, malaria, and the Zika virus, officials and experts warned on Thursday.

With WHO’s Global Strategic Preparedness, Readiness, and Response Plan (SPRP) calling for a unified global effort, public health authorities in Pakistan are racing against time to contain the outbreak.

In 2024, Pakistan has seen a surge in dengue cases, particularly in urban centers such as Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported over 12.3 million dengue cases globally by August 2024, with Pakistan being particularly vulnerable due to favorable environmental conditions, including temperatures between 26-29°C and humidity levels above 60 percent.

These conditions have been identified by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) as ideal for the Aedes aegypti mosquito—the primary carrier of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.

In Islamabad, the District Health Office has intensified its efforts by advising citizens to eliminate stagnant water, the breeding ground for mosquitoes. Despite these efforts, health experts warn that the actual number of cases is likely underreported. In Rawalpindi, over 150 dengue samples are sent for testing daily, though provincial reports are inconsistent with these alarming figures.

Alongside dengue, chikungunya—a virus that causes fever, joint pain, and rashes—is also spreading. The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports over 250 cases of chikungunya each week, though officials believe the actual numbers could be ten times higher due to the lack of PCR testing.

In Karachi, the discovery of Zika virus cases has raised additional alarm. Zika, which is especially dangerous for pregnant women, has the potential to cause severe birth defects like microcephaly. Although cases remain limited, public health officials are urging swift action to prevent Zika from spreading further.

The WHO’s SPRP is a timely intervention, calling for a coordinated global response to tackle these growing threats. The plan emphasises five pillars for combating vector-borne diseases: emergency coordination, collaborative surveillance, community protection, scalable care, and improved access to treatments and vaccines. With dengue cases nearly doubling year-on-year since 2021, the SPRP’s focus on strengthening disease surveillance and vector control is crucial.

The framework also builds on the WHO’s Global Vector Control Response 2017-2030 and the Global Arbovirus Initiative launched in 2022. Both strategies emphasise innovative approaches to tackling the spread of vector-borne diseases, particularly in vulnerable countries like Pakistan.

In Pakistan, factors such as unplanned urbanisation, poor sanitation, and climate change have exacerbated the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. The accumulation of stagnant water from monsoon rains, combined with inadequate waste disposal and ineffective public health infrastructure, has made densely populated cities particularly susceptible. With dengue endemic in over 130 countries, Pakistan must urgently strengthen its public health response.

“The coming months are critical. The PMD data suggests that October, with its ideal temperature and humidity conditions, will be a high-risk period for outbreaks. The NIH has established a helpline (1033) to provide citizens with guidance on how to prevent outbreaks, while provincial health departments have issued advisories on maintaining clean surroundings and eliminating breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” an official at NIH said.

Health officials urged citizens to play their part by cooperating with fumigation teams, using mosquito repellents, and ensuring stagnant water is eliminated.

With climate change accelerating and urbanisation increasing, the risks of Aedes-borne diseases will continue to grow. The message from both global and local health authorities is clear: the time to act is now. Everyone—from government bodies to individuals—must contribute to safeguarding the health of their communities.