Lahore:
Generalized monsoon rains and floods through Punjab have triggered an increase in water and diseases transmitted by vectors, health authorities warning an increasing crisis.
In province districts, thousands of patients are looking for treatment for stagnant flood waters, contaminated supplies and non -hygienic conditions.
According to the official health file, more than 15,400 patients of this type of dengue, malaria, diarrhea, skin infections and other seasonal diseases were recorded in the province in the last month.
In the past 24 hours, 150 new patients have been recorded through Punjab, highlighting the pressure on health establishments.
Dengue cases are increasing across the province and health experts have warned that the next two months are crucial in this regard.
Dengue, transmitted by a kind of mosquito which reproduces in stagnant water, remains an increasing concern. During the last month, 114 dengue patients were confirmed in Punjab.
District data shows that MRIREE reported 23 patients, Rawalpindi 38 and Lahore 56, while small districts have reported dispersed cases. Punjab has recorded 310 cases of dengue since the start of the course.
Health experts have warned that with continuous precipitation and pooling water in urban centers, the risk of a broader epidemic is imminent if preventive measures are not intensified. “Verors’ control and awareness campaigns must remain a priority. Otherwise, we could cope with an increase in previous epidemics of dengue,” said a senior health official in Lahore.
Hydric diseases such as diarrhea and typhoid have also shown a strong increase, especially in children in areas of low enthusiasm.
Overcrowded emergency camps, a lack of drinking water and poor sanitation have aggravated the spread of infections.
Malaria has also been reported in significant numbers, cases gathering in areas where flood waters remain stagnant. Skin diseases, including fungal infections and scabies, are frequently diagnosed among the displaced populations who have little access to hygienic living conditions.
Animal stings add to the burden of health care. During the last month, 99 cases of snake and 167 dog bites were recorded across Punjab. With submerged villages, wild snakes move in populated areas, increasing the risk of poisonous encounters.
In response to the growing crisis, the Punjab health authorities have established dozens of emergency medical camps in affected districts.
The surveillance system for provincial diseases in charge of Dr Shoaib Akmal said the government was closely monitoring the situation and provided free treatment to all patients.
“All cases reported are managed in a timely manner. Adequate stocks of anti-VENOM and other drugs, and vaccines are available in medical camps and hospitals,” he said. “Our teams work 24 hours a day to limit epidemics and ensure that no patient is left untreated.”
He added that awareness campaigns were being launched in rural and urban areas on preventive stages such as the use of mosquito repellents, drinking boiled water and avoiding exposure to contaminated flood waters.
However, public health experts warned that the situation could worsen if the monsoon rains continued. The World Health Organization (WHO) and humanitarian groups have previously stressed that epidemics of post-invitation diseases can often be more deadly than floods.
“Crue waters destroy sanitation systems, mix wastewater with drinking water and provide motifs of reproduction to mosquitoes. Unless immediate preventive measures are taken, Punjab can attend an exponential increase in dengue, malaria and water diseases in the coming weeks,” warned an epidemiologist.
Authorities have urged citizens to drain stagnant water, store drinking water safely and request medical help immediately in the event of fever, vomiting or unusual symptoms.
