LAHORE:
The rains and floods of the generalized monsoon in Punjab have caused an increase in water -transmitted diseases and vectors, and health authorities warn about a growing crisis.
In the districts throughout the province, thousands of patients seek treatment for diseases related to stagnant flood water, contaminated supplies and anti -hygienic conditions.
According to an official health registration, more than 15,400 patients of said dengue fever, malaria, diarrhea, skin infections and other seasonal diseases have registered in the province during the past month.
In the last 24 hours, 150 new patients were recorded in Punjab, highlighting the tension in health centers.
Dengue cases are increasing in the province and experts in medical care have warned that the next two months are crucial in this regard.
Dengue, transmitted by a kind of mosquito that reproduces in stagnant water, remains a growing concern. In the last month, 114 dengue patients have been confirmed in Punjab.
The data regarding the district shows that Murree reported 23 patients, Rawalpindi 38 and Lahore 56, while the smallest districts reported scattered cases. Punjab has registered 310 dengue cases since the beginning of the current.
Health experts warned that with continuous rain and the grouping of water in urban centers, the risk of a broader outbreak is imminent if preventive measures are not intensified. “Vector and awareness control campaigns must continue to be a priority. Otherwise, we could face an increase similar to the previous epidemics of dengue,” said a senior health officer in Lahore.
Water transmitted diseases, such as diarrhea and typhoid, have also demonstrated a strong increase, particularly among children in low flood areas.
The overpopulated relief camps, the lack of clean drinking water and low sanitation have worsened the propagation of infections.
Malaria has also been informed in significant quantities, with cases that are grouped into areas where flood water remains stagnant. Skin diseases, including fungal infections and scabies, is frequently diagnosed among displaced populations that have little access to hygienic living conditions.
Animal bites add to the medical care load. In the last month, 99 cases of snake and 167 dog bite were recorded in Punjab. With submerged villages, wild snakes are moving to populated areas, increasing the risk of poisonous encounters.
In response to the growing crisis, Punjab’s health authorities have established dozens of emergency medical camps in the affected districts.
Provincial Disease Surveillance System Dr. Shoaib Akmal declared that the Government was closely monitoring the situation and providing free treatment to all patients.
“All reported cases are handled in a timely manner. Adequate anti-veneno news and other medications, and vaccines are available in medical camps and hospitals,” he said. “Our teams are working 24 hours to agree and ensure that no patient is not treated.”
He added that awareness campaigns were being launched in rural and urban areas on preventive steps, such as the use of mosquito repellent, drinking boiled water and avoiding exposure to contaminated flood water.
However, public health experts warned that the situation could get worse if the monzón’s rains continued. The World Health Organization (WHO) and humanitarian groups have previously stressed that outbreaks of diseases after flooding can often be more mortal than floods.
“The waters of floods destroy sanitation systems, mix wastewater with drinking water and provide mosquito reproduction areas. Unless immediate preventive measures are taken, Punjab can witness an exponential increase in dengue, malaria and water transmitted diseases in the coming weeks,” warned an epidemiologist.
The authorities have urged citizens to drain stagnant water, store drinking water safely and seek medical help immediately in case of fever, vomiting or unusual symptoms.
