KARACHI / PAKISTAN: The dengue outbreak in Sindh continues its troubling climb, claiming the life of a 19-year-old girl from Korangi and pushing the provincial death toll to 26 since October. Doctors at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital & Research Centre confirmed that the teenager had been battling dengue encephalitis, a rare but severe complication marked by seizures and disturbed consciousness.
Despite cooler weather settling in, the virus shows no signs of slowing down. In the past 24 hours alone, Sindh recorded 727 new infections. Karachi accounted for 269 of these cases, while Hyderabad reported 458. With this spike, Sindh’s dengue tally has surged to 6,708 cases this month, and 12,284 cases overall this year. Hospitals are feeling the weight, with 271 patients admitted to government facilities and another 171 receiving treatment in private hospitals.
Medical experts warn that the emergence of dengue encephalitis points to the virus tightening its grip on vulnerable communities. According to senior clinicians, a meaningful decline in cases is unlikely before December, despite the temperature drop. They urge the public to remain vigilant, reminding that while dengue doesn’t spread from person to person, the Aedes mosquito remains an active carrier that thrives even in cooler months.
Provincial authorities face mounting pressure to intensify anti-mosquito drives, expand public-awareness campaigns, and strengthen hospital preparedness as the caseload grows. Without a strong response, the province risks further loss of life and increasing strain on healthcare resources.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.