Dengue to spread in 10 major cities by October, warns PMD

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Thursday issued a warning about dengue spreading in 10 major cities across the country by October. 

According to the Met Office, the dengue outbreak is expected to spread in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Larkana and Multan. 

Dengue fever may also occur in areas affected by rains after monsoon, said the PMD, adding that the fever has badly affected the health of people across the country.

Moreover, the infection has been spreading since mid-September. The department also revealed that an increase in dengue virus was observed from September 20 to December 5 after the monsoon in 10 years.

The meteorological department said the vector-borne disease becomes active if the temperature is between 26°C to 29°C and it gets favourable environment when humidity is close to 60%. 

“All stakeholders should take proactive measures to prevent the spread of dengue,” the PMD said in its statement.