Dengue death toll in Sindh climbs to 36 as critics question anti‑dengue efforts
KARACHI: Dengue claimed the lives of three more people in Sindh over the past 24 hours — two women and one man — raising the provincial death toll for the year to 36, according to data shared by the Sindh Health Department.
The latest fatalities include a 50-year‑old man and an 80-year‑old woman from Hyderabad, as well as a 55-year-old woman from Karachi, health officials said.
In the same period, 180 new dengue patients were admitted across Sindh: 113 to government hospitals and 57 to private facilities. Currently, 241 dengue patients remain under treatment in hospitals across the province.
Divisional data show 44 hospitalizations in Karachi, 35 in Hyderabad, and 34 from other districts. Meanwhile, the health department reported that 5,229 dengue tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, with 774 returning positive. Encouragingly, 191 patients were discharged after recovery.
Health department defends efforts, critics raise concerns
Sindh’s health authorities claim that they have intensified the anti‑dengue drive, launching awareness campaigns and increasing mosquito‑spraying operations. However, observers and public health critics say the reality on the ground tells a different story.
While officials speak of widespread fumigation, on-the-ground spraying in Karachi and Hyderabad remains minimal, they argue — largely confined to influential neighborhoods. In many peripheral or low-income areas, residents report little or no mosquito control activity, raising concerns that preventive efforts are not equitably distributed.
Urgent call for stronger, inclusive dengue prevention
In light of the rising death toll and continued transmission, health experts and activists are urging the provincial government to step up its vector control strategy. They call for:
- Comprehensive fumigation campaigns across all Sindh districts
- Community-based mosquito surveillance and source reduction in underserved neighborhoods
- Sustained public awareness in diverse languages and formats to reach the most vulnerable communities
- Transparent reporting on spraying coverage, budget allocations, and campaign impact
Officials continue to emphasize the need for public cooperation: they urge citizens to eliminate standing water, use mosquito repellents, and seek medical help immediately if dengue symptoms appear.
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