Faraz Saeed/Mariam Ellahi

LAHORE: As Pakistan grapples with devastating floods, health experts warn of increased risks to public health if preventive measures are not maintained.&nbsp;&nbsp;Since late June, heavier-than-usual monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding and landslides, impacting over 6 million people across the country, according to the United Nations.&nbsp;In Punjab, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority reported that over 4.7 million people have been affected, with more than 100 lives lost and thousands of homes, livestock, and crops destroyed.&nbsp;&nbsp;The floods have displaced 2.6 million people, leaving communities vulnerable to waterborne diseases.&nbsp;Health officials confirmed that the total number of patients treated in flood-affected areas has exceeded 900,000. Most cases involve respiratory issues, fever, skin allergies, diarrhea, and eye infections &mdash; conditions all related to flood contamination and poor living conditions.&nbsp;No danger of epidemicsDespite the surge in medical cases, authorities maintain that no major epidemic has been detected.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dr Moiz Mansoor, Additional Director at the Punjab DGHS office, told Pakistan TV Digital that up to 20,000 health camps were established at the height of the floods. As waters recede, around 465 health camps &mdash; including mobile clinics and field hospitals &mdash; remain operational.&nbsp;&ldquo;At the peak, more than 51,000 patients were screened in a single day,&rdquo; Dr Moiz said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;We are actively testing for malaria, diarrhea, eye diseases, and snake bites. While there has been a 2% to 3% increase in overall disease incidence, there is no evidence of an outbreak.&rdquo;&nbsp;However, public health experts remain cautious. Dr Masood Sheikh, a senior health specialist, noted that Pakistan is among the most frequently flood-affected countries in the world.&nbsp;&ldquo;The consequences can be immediate, in the form of fatalities, or longer-term through the spread of infectious diseases,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;The actual health toll is probably underestimated due to the scale of displacement and the difficulties in gathering data, he added.&nbsp;Dr Sheikh warned that Punjab could see a rapid spread of preventable diseases like polio, measles, leishmaniasis, HIV, and COVID-19 if vaccination efforts are not strengthened.&nbsp;&nbsp;Many flood victims are already suffering from skin and waterborne infections caused by prolonged exposure to contaminated water, he added.&nbsp;Health services overwhelmedWhile provincial authorities focus on rescue efforts and setting up medical camps, reports from the field indicate that health services are overwhelmed.&nbsp;&nbsp;Doctors and aid workers describe clinics swamped with patients, shortages of essential medicines, and long waits for treatment. In some camps, anti-malarial drugs and rabies vaccines have reportedly run out, leaving residents at greater risk.&nbsp;The World Health Organization has warned of &ldquo;grave risks&rdquo; of epidemic outbreaks, urging immediate improvements in clean water, sanitation, and consistent medical supplies. Aid groups echo these concerns, pointing to unsanitary conditions in camps and stagnant floodwater breeding mosquitoes, which raises the threat of cholera, dysentery, and dengue.

Climate & Environment

Floods have displaced 2.6 million people, leaving communities vulnerable to waterborne diseases; PDMA reports over 4.7 million people have been affected, with more than 100 lives lost and thousands of homes, livestock, and crops destroyed. 





Punjab floods: Over 900,000 treated as authorities downplay outbreak fears

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a dengue warning to last from September 20 through December 5, citing conditions created by recent monsoon rains and widespread flooding, which have heightened the risk of mosquito‑borne disease transmission.&nbsp;According to PMD&rsquo;s Dengue Alert‑1, stagnation of flood water, high temperatures between 26‑29&deg;C over multiple weeks, and relative humidity exceeding 60% are contributing to a &ldquo;high risk of severe dengue outbreak,&rdquo; especially in cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Sukkur, Hyderabad, and Multan.&nbsp;The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has also sounded alarms in flood‑affected areas, calling on health departments and local authorities to take immediate preventive steps. These include clearing stagnant water, fumigating, spraying larvicides, and raising public awareness.&nbsp;National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has echoed the warning, urging the public to employ mosquito nets, repellents, and proper sanitation, particularly in shelters and flood camps.&nbsp;Flood‑affected provinces in Punjab and Sindh continue to suffer from submerged roads and villages, where drainage is blocked and standing water remains after rivers overflowed reservoirs. These conditions are seen as especially conducive to mosquito breeding.&nbsp;Authorities emphasize that early warning signs like fever, joint pain, and rashes should prompt immediate medical consultation. Hospitals and dengue control centers are being placed on high alert in major cities to handle a possible surge in patients.

Health

PMD warns of possible dengue outbreak Sept 20–Dec 5 amid flooding; PDMA, NDMA urge public in major Pakistani cities to take precautions.

Articles tagged with "flood"

Punjab floods: Over 900,000 treated as authorities downplay outbreak fears

Pakistan issues dengue outbreak warning in flood-hit areas