Dengue Outbreak in Sindh Worsens, Claiming Seven Lives and Surging Cases

In the wake of a severe dengue outbreak in Sindh, three more deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours, taking the provincial death toll to seven this year. A staggering 5,180 dengue tests were conducted across the province, with 1,411 coming back positive, indicating a continued surge in infections. The Karachi Division and Hyderabad Division were severely affected, with 618 and 793 new infections reported, respectively. The Sindh Health Department has allocated 976 beds for dengue patients, with 369 beds designated in private hospitals, and is working closely with hospitals and testing facilities to manage the outbreak.

Key Takeaways:

• The dengue outbreak in Sindh has claimed seven lives and reported 1,411 positive cases in the past 24 hours, with a testing capacity of 5,180 dengue tests conducted across the province.
• The Karachi Division conducted 3,397 tests, confirming 618 new positive cases, while the Hyderabad Division carried out 1,783 tests, detecting 793 new infections, Health Department officials said.
• The Health Department has allocated 976 beds for dengue patients, with 369 beds designated in private hospitals, and is working closely with hospitals and testing facilities to manage the outbreak.
• Thirty-two laboratories in Karachi, including 11 government and 21 private facilities, are actively conducting dengue tests, while in Hyderabad, 17 laboratories are operational, comprising six government and 11 private labs.
• Health officials have urged citizens to take precautionary measures, including eliminating stagnant water, using mosquito repellents, and ensuring regular fumigation to curb the spread of the virus.
• Secretary Health Sindh Rehan Baloch stated that 106 new patients were admitted to government hospitals and 93 new cases were admitted to private healthcare facilities during the last 24 hours.
• Currently, 213 dengue patients remain admitted in government hospitals, while 251 are under treatment in private hospitals, and 174 patients recovered and were discharged.

Statistics:

• 5,180 dengue tests conducted across the province in the past 24 hours.
• 1,411 positive cases reported in the past 24 hours, out of which 618 were from the Karachi Division and 793 from the Hyderabad Division.
• 107,049 dengue patients have tested positive in Sindh since January 2020, according to the Sindh Health Department.
• 976 beds allocated for dengue patients across the province, including 258 in Karachi and 563 in interior Sindh.
• 369 beds designated for dengue care in private hospitals, including 156 in Karachi and 36 in interior Sindh.
• 32 laboratories in Karachi, including 11 government and 21 private facilities, are actively conducting dengue tests.
• 17 laboratories in Hyderabad, comprising six government and 11 private labs, are operational.

Sources:

• Sindh Health Department
• Secretary Health Sindh Rehan Baloch