Climate Change Fuels Surge in Infectious Diseases Across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2024
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is witnessing a dramatic spike in infectious diseases, with diphtheria, dengue, measles, and malaria cases more than doubling in 2024 compared to the previous year.
A report by the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System (IDSRS) highlights this alarming increase, attributing it to a mix of climate change and ongoing vaccine shortages.
Diphtheria saw the sharpest rise, surging by 182%, from 337 cases in 2023 to 952 in 2024. This has prompted urgent calls from health authorities for improved immunization and awareness campaigns to combat this potentially deadly disease.
Dengue fever cases escalated by 176%, rising from 1,980 in 2023 to 5,477 in 2024. Experts point to climate shifts, which have created ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, fueling the surge.
Measles cases increased by 43%, jumping from 10,000 to 15,621, while malaria saw a 13% increase, climbing from 239,902 cases in 2023 to 271,344 in 2024.
However, there is some positive news, as typhoid and pneumonia cases showed notable declines—32% and 21% respectively.
Health Adviser Ehtesham Ali linked the rise in dengue and malaria cases to the effects of climate change, which has accelerated disease transmission by altering the lifecycle of disease vectors. He also addressed the earlier vaccine shortage, confirming that supply chains were restored mid-year, helping mitigate further outbreaks.
