Dengue Cases Rise Again in KP as Weekly Infections Hit 34-Week High
PESHAWAR: Dengue cases have increased again across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 98 new infections reported during the past week, marking the highest weekly tally recorded in the province in the last 34 weeks.
According to data released by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, 98 people tested positive for dengue between August 27 and September 3, compared with 87 cases reported during the previous week. The latest increase has raised concerns as the province continues to experience active dengue transmission.
Kohat reported the highest number of new infections during the week, with 41 cases, followed by Peshawar with 33 and Bannu with 10. The number of newly reported cases in other districts remained below 10.
Peshawar continues to have the highest overall number of dengue cases during the current season, with 220 infections, closely followed by Kohat with 209 cases. Bannu has reported 52 cases, while Haripur has recorded 26 and Dera Ismail Khan 11.
Bajaur, Swabi and Swat have each reported 10 cases so far this season, while Charsadda has recorded nine. Nowshera and Mohmand have reported eight cases each. In the remaining 24 districts, the number of reported dengue cases ranges from one to seven.
Overall, 3,487 suspected dengue patients have been screened at hospitals across the province during the current season. Of those screened, 581 were found positive for the virus.
Dengue Breeding Sites Found in Several Districts
Health authorities have also detected dengue mosquito breeding sites in several districts of the province. Breeding sites were identified in 11 districts, including Charsadda, Malakand, Khyber, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohat, Swabi and Hangu.
Officials have used both mechanical and chemical methods to eliminate mosquito larvae from identified breeding locations. The measures are aimed at reducing the mosquito population and limiting further transmission of the virus.
The Health Department has simultaneously intensified public awareness campaigns in different parts of the province. Authorities have conducted 59,267 community awareness sessions so far, with substantial participation from both men and women.
Officials said people who participated in training sessions, seminars and awareness walks are now helping spread information about dengue prevention within their communities.
Special attention is also being given to educating women about the risks associated with storing water in uncovered containers. Such containers can become breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes, particularly during the transmission season.
More Than 211,000 Houses Inspected
Health teams have inspected 211,206 houses across the province to search for dengue mosquito larvae. Larvae were detected and eliminated at 529 houses during the surveillance campaign.
Officials also inspected 779,318 water containers, of which 934 were found to contain dengue larvae. The affected containers were treated or destroyed as part of efforts to prevent mosquito breeding.
In addition, chemical spraying was carried out at 286 outdoor locations where mosquito larvae were detected.
Peshawar Remains a Major Dengue Hotspot
Peshawar remains one of the major centres of dengue transmission in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and has experienced significant outbreaks in previous years.
In 2017, a severe dengue outbreak affected Peshawar and several other parts of the province. The outbreak resulted in 70 deaths, while around 50,000 people sought medical treatment at hospitals.
During the same period last year, more than 1,000 dengue cases and four deaths were reported across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
However, officials said the number of cases reported so far this year remains lower than the corresponding period last year. No dengue-related death has been reported in the province during the current season so far.
The Health Department has warned that the dengue transmission season remains active and is expected to continue with high intensity until the end of October. Authorities have urged the public to eliminate stagnant water, keep water containers covered and cooperate with health teams conducting dengue surveillance and preventive activities across the province.
