Dengue Outbreak in Sindh: Situation Worse Than Reported, Health Experts Warn

Strategic Insights -

Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection, continues to spread rapidly in Sindh, particularly in Karachi and Hyderabad, with unverified reports suggesting that the actual number of cases could exceed 12,000 in just six weeks, more than 10 times the official count. The Sindh Health Department has reported 439 new cases in October, bringing the total to 1,083 for 2025. Health experts have raised concerns over the effectiveness of government fumigation campaigns and the poor sewerage and drainage system, which they say are contributing to the spread of the disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Sindh Health Department has reported 439 new dengue cases in October, with 188 cases in Karachi Division, 154 in Hyderabad Division, 83 in Mirpurkhas, 10 in Sukkur, 3 in Shaheed Benazirabad, and 1 in Larkana Division.
  • Unverified reports from three major Karachi hospitals and a public sector laboratory with branches in Hyderabad suggest that the actual number of dengue cases could exceed 12,000 in just six weeks, more than 10 times the official count.
  • Health experts, including PMA-Sindh President Dr Bashir Ahmed Khaskheli, have raised concerns over the effectiveness of government fumigation campaigns and the poor sewerage and drainage system, which they say are contributing to the spread of the disease.
  • The Sindh government has intensified anti-dengue measures, including fumigation, spraying, and drainage improvement, in all districts, but health experts say more needs to be done to effectively control the spread of the disease.
  • The situation in Karachi and Hyderabad is particularly grim, with a total of 2,972 dengue cases reported from September 1 to October 16 in three major Karachi hospitals.

Statistics:

  • 439 new dengue cases reported in October in Sindh.
  • 1,083 total confirmed dengue cases in Sindh in 2025.
  • 2,972 dengue cases reported in three major Karachi hospitals from September 1 to October 16.
  • 9,075 dengue confirmed cases reported in Hyderabad from September 1 to October 14.
  • 12,000+ estimated actual number of dengue cases in Sindh in the first six weeks of October, according to unverified reports.

Sources:

  • The Sindh Health Department report
  • Dawn
  • Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) statement
  • Interviews with Dr Bashir Ahmed Khaskheli, Dr Faisal Mahmood, and Dr Mirza Ali Azhar