Islamabad:Pakistan’s top public health authority has alerted provincial governments to the risk of a rise in dengue infections following recent rains and the possibility of further precipitation, urging health departments across the country to strengthen surveillance, intensify mosquito control measures and ensure hospital preparedness to deal with potential outbreaks.
In an advisory issued by the Centre for Disease Control at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad on Monday, provincial and district health authorities have been asked to enhance early detection of dengue cases, promptly identify transmission clusters and implement preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.
Officials at the NIH said dengue remains a persistent public health threat in Pakistan, largely due to the widespread presence of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes that breed in clean stagnant water commonly found in urban and semi urban areas.
Health experts warn that rainfall and rising humidity create favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, increasing the chances of dengue transmission particularly in densely populated cities where water accumulates in containers, tyres, construction sites and poorly managed waste.
According to national surveillance data, dengue cases have shown a steady increase in recent years. Around 21,016 cases were recorded in 2023, rising to 24,182 infections in 2024, while laboratory confirmed cases reached 33,394 in 2025 across the country.
Public health specialists say the co circulation of four dengue virus serotypes in Pakistan has heightened the risk of repeated infections and severe forms of the disease, including dengue haemorrhagic fever, particularly among individuals previously exposed to another strain of the virus.
The NIH noted that dengue transmission in Pakistan typically intensifies during the monsoon and post monsoon seasons, although sporadic infections can occur throughout the year. Rapid urban expansion, poor waste management and climate variability are among the factors contributing to the continued spread of the disease.
To reduce the risk of outbreaks, the advisory has directed health authorities to strengthen disease surveillance systems, ensure timely laboratory confirmation of suspected cases and maintain regular reporting through established national monitoring mechanisms.
Provincial and district administrations have also been asked to intensify vector surveillance and integrated mosquito control measures, including the elimination of breeding sites through regular cleaning and emptying of domestic water storage containers, water coolers, tanks and other places where stagnant water accumulates.
Authorities have been advised to conduct targeted inspections in high risk locations such as schools, hospitals, construction sites, tyre shops and junkyards, which often serve as breeding grounds for dengue carrying mosquitoes.
The NIH recommended that mechanical removal of mosquito breeding sites should remain the primary control strategy, while chemical interventions such as larvicides should be used only when necessary. Fogging and indoor residual spraying may be carried out in areas where confirmed cases are detected.
The advisory also stressed the importance of community awareness and public participation in dengue prevention. Health authorities have been encouraged to use print, electronic and social media platforms to educate the public about mosquito control practices and the symptoms of dengue infection.
People have been advised to adopt personal protective measures such as wearing long sleeved clothing, using mosquito repellents, installing mesh screens on windows and sleeping under mosquito nets in mosquito prone areas.
Hospitals across the country have also been directed to ensure preparedness by allocating dedicated beds or isolation wards for dengue patients, maintaining adequate medical supplies and ensuring that healthcare staff are trained to manage dengue related complications.
Medical experts say there is currently no specific antiviral treatment for dengue fever and patient care primarily involves supportive management, including fever control, adequate hydration and close monitoring for complications.
