In various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, the number of people affected by the dengue virus has surpassed 1,722 in the past four months. The recent floods had severely impacted the people in different areas, and subsequently, the dengue virus has taken its toll on the flood victims, affecting hundreds of individuals.
Relief activities are still ongoing in various areas after the floods. However, the flood victims are now facing another challenge in the form of epidemic diseases and the dengue virus. While the flood victims are busy with cleanup and rehabilitation efforts, the dengue virus and epidemic diseases have added to their woes.
According to the data released by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, from June to September, the dengue virus has affected 1,722 people, with the highest number of cases reported in Charsadda district, where 852 people were affected in four months. Other affected districts include Haripur 178, Mansehra 135, Peshawar 111, Swabi 78, Abbottabad 58, Swat 32, and Buner 52.
A severe outbreak of conjunctivitis (pink eye) is sweeping through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the number of affected individuals exceeding 93,000. Hundreds of new cases are being reported daily, particularly in Peshawar, Swat, Buner, and other districts.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has initiated emergency measures to contain the outbreak, issuing guidelines for precautionary measures in schools, offices, and other public places. The conjunctivitis outbreak has taken a dangerous turn,
Similar to Dengue, COVID-19, and other contagious diseases, putting pressure on the healthcare system and leading to shortages and price hikes of medications creates new challenges.
Climate Change and Floods: Pakistan's Economic Crisis
According to World Bank reports, Pakistan faced a catastrophic deluge beginning in June 2022, as monsoon rains and glacial melting triggered devastating floods. The consequences were staggering: 1,739 lives were lost, with financial losses totalling 3.2 trillion PKR (14.9 billion USD) and economic losses amounting to 3.3 trillion PKR 15.2 billion USD.
The economic cost of the 2025 floods is estimated to be around Rs 409 billion ($1.4 billion), equivalent to 0.33% of Pakistan's GDP. Agriculture has been the hardest hit, with losses exceeding Rs 302 billion ($1.0 billion), accounting for nearly three-fourths of the total impact and 0.24% of GDP. These initial estimates have been published by the brokerage house Arif Habib Limited.
These floods served as a stark reminder of Pakistan's vulnerability to climate change, despite the country's minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions - less than 1%.
Pakistan must address climate change issues at this critical juncture. Natural disasters like floods lead to the spread of epidemic diseases and other health issues, which are further exacerbated by the government's lack of attention, adding to the misery of the affected people.
Health Crisis Hits Flood Victims
Flood-affected Muhammad Yaqoob Khan told The Friday Times that the floods had severely damaged our home and three factories, resulting in a total loss of Rs. 40 million. Although it's been over a month since the floods, we're still busy with the cleanup.
After the floods, my family took shelter with relatives for 25 days before temporarily moving back into our homes. The flood damage was extensive, but what followed was even more challenging. My wife, daughter, and I contracted dengue fever, which took a toll on our health. Now, we're struggling to clean our homes while dealing with the aftermath of the floods and the dengue virus.
Yaqoob stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Swat, is prone to natural disasters, and the recent floods have led to a surge in diseases like dengue, affecting many flood victims. I, along with my wife and daughter, had to rest for 14 days, leaving all household chores unattended. Similarly, in the 2022 floods, epidemic diseases also affected the victims. He further said that the government should focus not only on rehabilitation efforts but also provide attention to the health issues faced by flood-affected people.
Floods to Fevers: Climate Chaos
Climate Expert Maryam Shabbir told the Friday Times that flooding often leads to outbreaks of waterborne diseases due to the presence of toxic waste in contaminated water. During the 2010 floods, women in Punjab and Tharparkar (Sindh) were disproportionately affected by illnesses such as pneumonia, anaemia, diarrhoea, hepatitis, malaria, skin infections, and high fever. Similar public health risks are anticipated among the victims of the 2025 floods.
Shabbir said that in addition to physical illnesses, a significant number of people across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh are facing mental health challenges. These arise from the loss of loved ones, destruction of crops, damage to homes, and disruption of livelihoods. Women, in particular, face heightened vulnerability as the lack of access to safe sanitation during floods often results in reproductive and urinary tract infections.
Furthermore, dengue fever remains a major health threat in many flood-affected areas of Pakistan, compounding the already severe burden on public health systems.
Post-Flood Viral Diseases and Dengue Threat
Dr Najeebullah, speaking to The Friday Times, said that following the floods, cases of viral illnesses and dengue fever are on the rise in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as other parts of the country. He explained that every year, as summer draws to a close, the increase in humidity and drop in temperature create conditions for seasonal and viral diseases to spread.
Dr Najeeb noted that the middle of August—around the 14th or 15th—is usually when the atmosphere begins to change, the sun’s intensity decreases, and humidity levels rise. These factors directly affect the human body, resulting in fever, flu, sore throat, body aches, and other viral infections.
“This does not happen suddenly,” he explained. “It is a natural reaction of our bodies to seasonal change. However, negligence, lack of cleanliness, and failure to adopt preventive measures accelerate the spread of these illnesses.”
According to him, this year, 2025, is no different. Hospitals are reporting a rise in patients, and while people fear that a new virus may be spreading, the reality is that it is the same recurring viral cycle witnessed every year. Among these illnesses, the dengue virus has been spreading rapidly in recent days.
Dr Najeebullah described this period as a “viral season”, a silent season that may not be visible but is very real. He advised the public to take precautions, such as drinking clean water, washing hands regularly, avoiding crowded places, and maintaining a balanced diet.
“If symptoms such as fatigue, fever, or flu appear,” he stressed, “people must consult a qualified doctor immediately. The season will pass, but negligence can turn these illnesses into serious health risks.
Next Steps in Combating Climate Change in Pakistan
Pakistan must now take immediate actions, including upgrading its infrastructure to withstand climate change, strictly enforcing laws, modernising urban planning to meet new demands, and consistently pressuring the global community to achieve environmental justice.
Climate change is a reality - and Pakistan is its first target. It's time for us to take it seriously.