Islamabad: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has warned that the upcoming monsoon season could trigger outbreaks of dengue, malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and E, chikungunya and other infectious diseases, besides increasing the risk of electrocution, drowning, snakebites, lightning injuries and trauma caused by collapsing structures.
In an advisory issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the NIH said heavy rainfall, flooding and waterlogging create ideal conditions for the spread of communicable and vector-borne diseases by contaminating drinking water supplies, damaging sanitation infrastructure and increasing mosquito breeding sites.
The institute noted that population displacement, overcrowding in temporary shelters and interruptions in routine public health activities during floods could further accelerate disease transmission and increase morbidity and mortality.
According to the advisory, stagnant water and poor sanitation raise the risk of dengue, malaria and chikungunya, while contaminated food and drinking water may lead to outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever and viral hepatitis A and E. Exposure to contaminated floodwaters could also result in leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that may cause jaundice, kidney damage and bleeding complications.
The NIH cautioned that severe weather events during the monsoon season also pose risks of electrocution from damaged electrical infrastructure, lightning strikes, snakebites, drowning and injuries caused by the collapse of walls, roofs and buildings.
Health experts at the NIH said dengue infection is characterised by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, body aches, joint pain and rash, while severe cases may cause bleeding complications. Malaria patients may develop fever with chills, sweating, headache, body aches, nausea and anaemia, and severe infections can progress to respiratory distress and organ failure.
The advisory said cholera and acute watery diarrhoea can rapidly cause dehydration and shock if untreated, while typhoid fever typically presents with prolonged fever, headache, abdominal pain and weakness. Chikungunya may cause severe joint pain and fatigue, whereas leptospirosis can lead to kidney impairment and haemorrhagic manifestations.
The NIH directed provincial health departments and district administrations to strengthen surveillance systems and ensure timely detection, reporting and response to outbreaks. It called for enhanced event-based and community surveillance and urged authorities to deploy trained epidemiologists and surveillance staff for outbreak investigations.
The institute also recommended intensified vector control measures, including elimination of mosquito breeding sites, environmental sanitation, larvicidal activities and indoor residual spraying in high-risk areas.
Emphasising water, sanitation and hygiene measures, the NIH advised authorities to ensure access to safe drinking water through chlorination and quality monitoring, improve sanitation facilities in affected communities and promote hand hygiene and safe food handling practices.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities have been asked to maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines, diagnostics, intravenous fluids, oral rehydration salts, blood products and infection prevention supplies. The advisory also called for ensuring the availability of anti-snake venom, oxygen, burn management supplies and emergency trauma care equipment.
The NIH urged people to avoid contact with floodwaters and fallen electric wires, switch off electricity before entering flooded buildings and avoid taking shelter near old buildings, weak structures, trees and boundary walls during storms.
It also advised parents to keep children away from canals, ponds and other water bodies and recommended wearing protective footwear while walking through waterlogged areas to reduce the risk of snakebites and injuries.
The institute asked health authorities to maintain line lists of suspected and confirmed cases and ensure timely reporting through surveillance platforms to enable coordinated response to monsoon-related disease outbreaks.