Dengue Outbreak Risk Rises After Rains, Warns NIH

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has warned that recent rains may trigger a dengue outbreak in Punjab, Balochistan, and northern regions of Pakistan.

The advisory calls for immediate preventive steps from both authorities and the public to limit mosquito breeding.

According to the NIH, dengue flourishes in warm, humid environments, making the post-rainfall period highly vulnerable to virus transmission.

In 2024, Pakistan reported 28,427 dengue cases — a sharp rise compared to the previous year. The institute cautioned that the number could increase without proper precautions.

Dengue symptoms include high fever, headaches, muscle pain, skin rashes, and eye pain. The NIH advises using only paracetamol to manage fever, avoiding aspirin and NSAIDs due to the risk of bleeding.

Severe cases, particularly when platelet counts fall below 10,000, require urgent hospitalisation.

The NIH has urged the public to adopt mosquito control measures, such as:

Using mosquito nets and repellents

Wearing full-sleeved clothes

Eliminating stagnant water

Hospitals have been instructed to improve diagnostic facilities.

The institute stressed that public cooperation and timely medical consultation are crucial to reducing severe cases and fatalities.