NIH warns Pakistan at risk of dengue outbreak after heavy rains

ISLAMABAD: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a warning about a possible dengue outbreak in Punjab, Balochistan and northern Pakistan following recent rains.

Authorities and the public have been urged to take immediate preventive measures to prevent mosquito breeding, as hot and humid conditions create an ideal environment for dengue transmission.

Pakistan recorded 28,427 dengue cases in 2024, a significant increase from the previous year. Health officials fear that infections could increase further this year without strict precautions. The NIH advisory highlighted the key symptoms of dengue, including high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, skin rashes and pain behind the eyes.

The NIH has strongly advised against the use of aspirin and NSAIDs for fever management, as they increase the risk of bleeding. Paracetamol should be used instead. In severe cases, especially when the platelet count drops below 10,000, immediate hospitalization is required.

To control the spread of dengue, the NIH recommends using mosquito nets and repellents, wearing full-sleeved clothing, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed. Hospitals have been instructed to increase laboratory facilities for dengue diagnosis.

Health experts emphasize the importance of public cooperation and timely medical consultation to prevent serious cases and deaths.