ISLAMABAD: The Federal Ministry of Health has issued an emergency health advisory warning of potential disease outbreaks in the aftermath of recent floods.
According to the advisory, there is a heightened risk of cholera, typhoid, and diarrheal diseases spreading in flood-affected areas.
The ministry further cautioned that stagnant floodwater could contribute to the spread of dengue, chikungunya, and malaria.
The citizens have been urged to adopt preventive measures to safeguard themselves from these post-flood health risks.
Earlier, World Health Organization (WHO) had reported a sharp rise in waterborne and vector-borne diseases across Pakistan in the aftermath of recent floods, warning of a growing public health crisis.
According to the report, dengue cases have increased by 41 percent and malaria cases by 26 percent since the flooding began. The situation is particularly alarming in Balochistan and Sindh, where cholera outbreaks have been recorded.
Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, health officials are witnessing a rise in skin infections, scabies, and cases of snake and dog bites linked to stagnant floodwaters and deteriorating sanitary conditions.
WHO has urged immediate action to strengthen disease surveillance, ensure clean drinking water, and provide emergency healthcare services to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
Compounding the crisis, dozens of hospitals in flood-hit regions have either been destroyed or severely damaged, further limiting access to medical care.
WHO has urged immediate intervention, including the restoration of healthcare facilities, provision of safe drinking water, and expanded disease surveillance, warning that without swift action, Pakistan’s fragile health infrastructure risks being overwhelmed by epidemic outbreaks.
