Dengue fever, malaria, Chikungunya: some of the many battles Karachi is fighting

Karachi, home to over 20.4 million, is Pakistan’s most populous city, and bustling with life, culture, and diversity.

Yet, beneath this vibrant surface lies a persistent threat: endemic diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, and chikungunya.

These diseases are vector borne and spread when a mosquito bites an infected person and then a non-infected person.

However, a cleaner Karachi could significantly reduce the risk of these diseases. These mosquitoes thrive in urban areas and rest indoors in dark areas for example under beds, behind curtains and in closets. They lay their eggs in water-filled containers inside homes or in areas of water dwellings.

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Urban sanitation plays a critical role in public health.

In Karachi, the accumulation of garbage and stagnant water, particularly after the monsoon rains, have created ideal breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Dengue fever and Chikungunya both are transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which thrives in environments where water collects. Similarly, malaria, is also transmitted through Anopheles mosquitoes, and this too, is influenced by the presence of stagnant water and inadequate waste management.

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In Karachi, the responsibility for waste management and sanitation falls under various local authorities. Unfortunately, these bodies have often struggled with inadequate resources, mismanagement, and lack of coordination.

To effectively combat these endemic diseases, local governments must prioritise regular garbage collection, drainage maintenance, public awareness campaigns and more effective collaborations with the Health Departments.

At an individual level, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), people should remove any object that may store water from inside their homes as well as outside. These include flower vases and saucers, discarded bottles and tins, discarded tyres, drums for collecting rainwater.

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The remaining essential containers should be emptied and cleaned and scrubbed (to remove eggs) at least once a week. People should wear long-sleeved clothing and use effective mosquito repellants as protecting yourself from mosquito bites is important. People who sleep outdoors should use mosquito nets as that will provide additional protection.

The endemic diseases affecting Karachi are not just a consequence of environmental factors but also a reflection of inadequate urban management.

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A cleaner Karachi, facilitated by proactive local government initiatives and community engagement, could significantly reduce the burden of diseases like dengue, malaria, and Chikungunya. By prioritising sanitation and fostering a collective responsibility towards cleanliness, Karachi can protect its residents from these preventable diseases and pave the way for a healthier future.

Let’s hope policymakers pay heed as Karachi needs to have fewer problems to deal with.

The article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Business Recorder or its owners