Pakistan Battles Dengue and Epidemic Outbreaks After Floods: A Deadly Crisis Threatens Public Health
From floods to fevers, Pakistan battles dengue and epidemic outbreaks after devastating climate disasters. Over 1,700 dengue cases and 93,000 pink eye infections reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan battles dengue and epidemic outbreaks as climate-fueled floods unleash a public health catastrophe. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, more than 1,700 dengue cases have emerged in the past four months, while an alarming 93,000 conjunctivitis (pink eye) cases have been reported across multiple districts.
This twin health crisis highlights how climate change not only destroys homes and livelihoods but also fuels epidemics that overwhelm Pakistan’s fragile healthcare system.
Dengue Outbreak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, dengue has infected 1,722 people between June and September 2025. The worst-hit district is Charsadda, reporting 852 cases. Other hotspots include:
- Haripur: 178 cases
- Mansehra: 135 cases
- Peshawar: 111 cases
- Swabi: 78 cases
- Abbottabad: 58 cases
- Swat: 32 cases
- Buner: 52 cases
Floodwaters have created stagnant breeding grounds for mosquitoes, fueling the spread of dengue fever and other vector-borne diseases.
Pink Eye Epidemic Hits 93,000 People
Alongside dengue, a severe outbreak of conjunctivitis (pink eye) is sweeping across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. More than 93,000 people are affected, with hundreds of new cases reported daily in Peshawar, Swat, Buner, and other districts.
The Health Department has issued emergency guidelines for schools, offices, and public gatherings to control the outbreak. Pharmacies are already facing shortages and price hikes in eye drops and antiviral medications, adding pressure to struggling families.
Climate Change and Pakistan’s Economic Burden
Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change is worsening. According to the World Bank, the 2022 floods killed 1,739 people and caused economic losses exceeding USD 15 billion.
In 2025, the economic cost of floods is estimated at Rs. 409 billion ($1.4 billion)—nearly 0.33% of Pakistan’s GDP. Agriculture alone faced damages worth Rs. 302 billion ($1 billion), threatening food security.
These losses are devastating for a country that contributes less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet faces some of the world’s harshest climate impacts.
External Source: World Bank – Pakistan Floods
Voices from Flood Victims
Flood victim Muhammad Yaqoob Khan shared his ordeal:
“Our home and factories worth Rs. 40 million were destroyed by the floods. But even after the waters receded, dengue hit my wife, daughter, and me. We spent 14 days bedridden, unable to clean our damaged home.”
His story reflects how epidemics deepen the misery of already devastated communities.
Expert Insights on Climate Health Risks
Climate expert Maryam Shabbir explained that floods worsen waterborne and vector-borne diseases due to contaminated water.
She recalled that during the 2010 floods, women were disproportionately affected by pneumonia, anaemia, hepatitis, malaria, and reproductive infections due to lack of sanitation.
“Today, the 2025 floods have brought the same health challenges—this time compounded by dengue and conjunctivitis,” she warned.
She also highlighted mental health impacts, as families across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh grapple with trauma, loss of loved ones, and destroyed livelihoods.
Post-Flood Viral Diseases and Dengue Season
Dr. Najeebullah, a public health expert, described August-September as “viral season” in Pakistan. Rising humidity, stagnant water, and cooler nights create ideal conditions for viral infections and dengue outbreaks.
He emphasized preventive measures:
- Drink clean water
- Wash hands frequently
- Avoid crowded places
- Maintain a balanced diet
He warned: “Negligence can turn seasonal flu or dengue into a deadly health crisis.”
What Pakistan Must Do Next
To fight this climate-health emergency, experts recommend:
- Stronger health infrastructure to withstand epidemics after floods.
- Climate-resilient urban planning to prevent waterlogging.
- Awareness campaigns in schools and rural areas.
- Global climate justice advocacy, pressing wealthier nations to finance Pakistan’s adaptation.
As Pakistan battles dengue and epidemic outbreaks, it must balance immediate relief with long-term climate resilience.
Conclusion
From floods to fevers, Pakistan faces a deadly intersection of climate disaster and public health crisis. The 1,700 dengue cases and 93,000 pink eye infections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are only the beginning of what could become a nationwide epidemic.
Pakistan must act now—both in treating victims and in fighting climate change—to protect its people from future health disasters.
