Riaz Hussain
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has recorded its first dengue-related death of the year as health authorities struggle to contain the spread of the mosquito-borne virus across several districts.
According to the provincial health department, a 30-year-old resident of Sharifabad, Mardan, identified as Adnan, succumbed to dengue hemorrhagic fever on October 4. He had initially tested positive for the virus on September 30, after suffering from high fever, severe body pain, and eye pain.
Doctors at Mardan Medical Complex confirmed that Adnan’s platelet count had dropped to 45,000, prompting his admission. However, he reportedly left the hospital against medical advice after showing slight improvement. His condition later deteriorated rapidly, and he was readmitted but could not survive due to a severe drop in platelet levels and dengue shock syndrome.
The District Health Officer (DHO) Mardan said a four-member inquiry team has been formed to investigate the circumstances leading to the death and assess the medical response. Meanwhile, a dengue prevention campaign has been launched in Sharifabad, involving door-to-door awareness drives, mosque announcements, drainage cleaning, and mosquito larva eradication efforts.
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🔍 Provincial Dengue Situation
• In the past 24 hours, 34 new cases have been reported across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the total tally to 3,236 this year.
• Of these, 57 patients are currently hospitalized, while 2,990 people have recovered.
• The province now has 245 active cases.
Districts with the highest number of infections:
• Charsadda: 1,008 cases
• Haripur: 301
• Mansehra: 299
• Peshawar: 294
• Mardan: 253
• Other affected areas include Swabi (132), Kohat (125), and Abbottabad (114).
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🧩 Related Health Concerns
In Peshawar’s Sufaid Dheri area, authorities have also declared a Chikungunya outbreak zone, where 16 cases of the virus have been confirmed. Health experts warn that both Chikungunya and dengue are transmitted by the same Aedes mosquito, underscoring the urgency of coordinated vector control efforts.
District health teams have reported the presence of mosquito larvae in several residential areas, highlighting gaps in public awareness and cooperation. To address this, the Health Department has organized medical camps, offering free testing and treatment, and intensified cleanup operations to eliminate stagnant water sources.
Officials have urged citizens to cover water containers, regularly inspect rooftops and courtyards, and promptly report any suspected cases to nearby health facilities.
