Nationwide dengue surge demands urgent, coordinated response

KARACHI: As dengue cases continue to surge across Pakistan, health experts and civil society groups are urging the federal and provincial governments to launch an immediate, nationwide emergency response to prevent the mosquito-borne virus from spiraling into a full-scale health crisis.
While the Islamabad administration reported a gradual decline in cases due to aggressive surveillance and fumigation drives, the situation in other major cities – including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar – remains critical, with hospitals overwhelmed and daily case numbers rising sharply.
According to Islamabad’s latest report, field teams inspected 34,110 sites, fumigated 1,146 hotspots, and sprayed 983 houses, leading to the detection of larvae in 127 locations. Only 12 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, and officials credited “timely interventions, rapid response, and community cooperation” for the downturn.
However, health officials warn that Islamabad’s success should not overshadow the alarming trends in other provinces. Karachi and Lahore continue to witness a growing influx of dengue patients in emergency wards. Specialists warn that the lack of uniform national coordination is allowing the virus to spread unchecked.
Public health experts have urged the federal government to declare dengue a national health emergency, warning that the issue has moved beyond seasonal outbreaks and now threatens public safety, economic activity, and hospital capacity.
“Pakistan cannot rely on reactive measures anymore,” said one health expert. “We need a unified national command system to track cases, manage resources, and enforce vector control SOPs consistently across all provinces.”
Officials in Islamabad cautioned citizens that legal action will be taken against individuals or institutions violating dengue prevention guidelines. They stressed that eliminating stagnant water, reporting potential breeding sites, and maintaining household hygiene are essential to sustain progress.
The district administration reiterated that community participation is critical, adding, “Collective responsibility is the only way to make Pakistan dengue-free.”
Despite localized success in the federal capital, analysts say Pakistan remains vulnerable unless all provinces adopt uniform surveillance, continuous fumigation, enforcement of SOPs, and public awareness campaigns – not just after outbreaks, but throughout the year.
As the virus continues its spread, calls are growing for the government to move swiftly, deploy medical resources, strengthen hospital capacity, and launch a fully coordinated national response to prevent further loss of life.