n October, dengue fever spread in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As many as 4,034 cases have been reported so far, this year. According to the Health Department, a majority of the cases were reported in Peshawar.

This year, Peshawar has been the most affected region, with 1,325 cases reported. A surge in dengue virus cases was observed from September to November. According to Health Deartment, a sharp peak was observed in Peshawar in late October.

Several union councils in the city have been identified as dengue virus hotspots. A majority of the dengue cases has been reported from Nasir Bagh, Tehkal Payan, Palosi, Pishtakhara, Academy Town, Tehkal Bala and Danish Abad union councils. In Mansehra district, a majority of the cases have been reported from Balakot sub-division, Garhi Habibullah and Darhada.

Many of the dengue fever patients have been hospitalised for treatment in November. This is unusual as the previous years’ record shows no active cases in November.

In the last 11 months, three confirmed deaths from dengue have been reported. Two of those were from Nowshehra and one death from Swabi district.

In November, at least 195 dengue cases were reported in Mardan. In the last three months a majority of the dengue cases were reported in Mardan (281), Mansehra (243), Abbottabad (242), Kohat (223) and Nowshera (215). Other than Mardan, a majority of the dengue cases were reported in October.

Last year was a suppressed dengue infection year with a total of 700 cases reported. There was no death from dengue fever reported in the province. This year, the Health Department expected more dengue infections and implemented a fresh Dengue Action Plan with the help of line departments in all divisions of the province.

Many dengue fever patients have been hospitalised for treatment in November this year. This is unusual as the previous years’ dengue record shows that no active cases were reported in November.

“The Health Department deals with dengue case management. When a dengue case is reported in the province, testing, hospitalisation and medication are the mandate of the Health Department. The mechanical sweeping, larvicidal sprays and fumigation are the responsibilities of the local government, tehsil municipal administrations and other lines departments,” says Atta Ullah Khan, a public relations officer for the Health Department.

The Health Department has provided dengue virus testing kits and mosquito nets to all district hospitals. A major hurdle has been a delay in the release of funds allotted for the dengue elimination plan.

On the ground

Lady Health Workers have been assigned special duties. They knock on doors and advise the public to take necessary precautions to prevent the virus from spreading further, stressing the importance of measures such as eliminating stagnant water puddles and maintaining cleanliness in homes and neighbourhoods.

Climate change has a key role in the rise of dengue virus. Due to the change in weather patterns, dengue cases have been reported over an extended period in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the coming years, the numbers of dengue cases could increase further due to changes in the weather patterns.

According to a study in 2023, more than 6.5 million dengue cases and over 6,800 deaths attributed to the virus were recorded globally. 2024 has blown that record away. More than 12 million cases have been reported worldwide so far this year.

The writer is a multimedia producer. He tweets @daudpasaney