Dengue Outbreak in Hyderabad, Sindh: A Critical Public Health Challenge

By | October 17, 2025
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Overview of the Outbreak

Hyderabad, the second-largest city in Sindh province, Pakistan, is currently grappling with a concerning dengue fever outbreak that has intensified during the post-monsoon season of 2025. According to recent health department data, 819 confirmed dengue cases have been reported across Sindh province as of October 2025, with one fatality recorded. Of particular concern is that Hyderabad Division alone accounts for 48 cases in the most recent reporting period, making it the second most affected area after Karachi (85 cases).

The outbreak has reached alarming proportions, with health authorities reporting 175 new cases just in October 2025, representing a significant surge that has overwhelmed local healthcare facilities and prompted legal action against municipal authorities for negligence.

Identified Hotspots in Hyderabad

Based on newspaper reports, social media posts, and official health department data from the last three months, the following areas have emerged as dengue hotspots:

1. SITE Industrial Area

The Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE) area has emerged as a critical hotspot, with the Chairman of the Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry, Zubair Ganghra, raising serious concerns in September 2025. The industrial zone, home to thousands of workers and hundreds of industries, has seen stagnant water accumulation following monsoon rains, creating ideal breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. Despite urgent appeals, no dengue spray campaign has been initiated in this densely populated industrial area. Daily Times

2. Qasimabad

Qasimabad, located on the western side of Hyderabad city, has been significantly affected by the outbreak. A lawsuit was filed by a dengue patient, Muhammad Haroon Jatoi, specifically mentioning the Qasimabad police station jurisdiction. Research data also identifies Qasimabad as historically prone to Aedes aegypti larvae prevalence due to water shortage and storage practices. Tribune

3. Latifabad

Latifabad, a township in the southern suburbs of Hyderabad, has been identified in entomological studies as an area with high mosquito breeding activity. The unavailability and shortage of water in this area leads residents to store water in containers, inadvertently creating breeding sites for dengue vectors.

4. Hussainabad

Hussainabad town, also known as Gidu Bandar, was specifically mentioned in the legal proceedings as being under the jurisdiction of negligent authorities. The area’s proximity to the Indus River and poor drainage infrastructure has contributed to the dengue problem.

5. Labour Colony and Murshadabad

These residential areas were targeted for emergency fumigation drives on October 10, 2025, by the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, indicating high dengue risk. Multiple Facebook posts from the Deputy Commissioner’s office documented intensive spraying operations in these neighborhoods.

6. Old Wahdat Colony and Hadi Nagar (UC-126)

These colonies received special attention from fumigation teams in early October 2025, suggesting elevated dengue cases or high-risk conditions based on surveillance data.

Healthcare Facilities Under Strain

Liaquat University Hospital (LUH), formerly known as Civil Hospital Hyderabad, is the primary healthcare facility managing dengue patients. Special dengue wards have been established, though reports indicate severe overcrowding and inadequate facilities. A new dengue ward was also set up at Hilal-e-Ahmar Hospital with mosquito nets provided by the Deputy Commissioner.

An ENT doctor at LUH, speaking anonymously, confirmed contracting dengue and observed that many patients prefer home treatment or private practitioners over government hospitals due to poor conditions and absent medical staff. Tribune

Governmental Response and Failures

The response to the outbreak has been characterized by significant delays and inadequacies:

  • Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro directed nine Town Municipal Corporations and 160 Union Committees on September 20, 2025, to draft and publicly share fumigation schedules, but no progress reports have been released.

  • The Cantonment Board Hyderabad has been conducting door-to-door surveys and fumigation in its jurisdiction, with CEO Mushtaq Ahmed Chachar personally overseeing operations.

  • Despite these efforts, a citizen lawsuit filed on October 12, 2025, names Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro, Deputy Commissioner Zain-ul-Abedin Memon, District Health Officer, Hussainabad Town Chairman, and two medical superintendents as accused for negligence in controlling vector-borne diseases.

  • The Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and its nine towns have failed to carry out proper waste disposal and anti-germ spraying, leaving the city drowning in filth after rains. Tribune

Social Media Reports and Public Outcry

Facebook groups and pages have been documenting the crisis extensively:

  • The Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad official Facebook page shows fumigation activities conducted on October 13, 2025, across various areas with GPS-tagged locations.

  • Local residents have shared videos showing hospital overcrowding, with one YouTube report titled “Dengue Outbreak In Hyderabad | Alert Issued? Hospitals Overflow” highlighting the severity of the situation. Abbtakk News

  • Community groups have posted awareness messages and reported inadequate government response, with calls for emergency measures.

Root Causes of the Outbreak

  1. Stagnant Water: Following monsoon rains, poor drainage systems have left water stagnant on roads and in residential areas, creating ideal mosquito breeding sites.

  2. Inadequate Fumigation: Despite directives, systematic fumigation campaigns have not been implemented across all affected areas.

  3. Poor Waste Management: The failure of municipal authorities to clear clogged drains and manage waste disposal has exacerbated the problem.

  4. Underreporting: The Sindh Directorate General of Health Services reported only 24 cases by October 10, while widespread reports suggest much higher numbers, indicating potential data discrepancies.

Comparison with Previous Years

The current outbreak appears less severe than 2022’s massive surge (7,585 cases in Hyderabad), but significantly higher than 2021 (640 cases). However, the rapid increase in October 2025 and the legal proceedings against authorities indicate growing public concern and frustration with the government response.

Recommendations

Health experts emphasize the need for:

  • Immediate large-scale fumigation campaigns, particularly in SITE Industrial Area, Qasimabad, and Latifabad
  • Establishment of adequate dengue treatment facilities with sufficient beds and medical staff
  • Public awareness campaigns about preventive measures
  • Timely diagnostic services accessible to industrial workers and low-income residents
  • Accountability for municipal authorities who have failed in their duties

The dengue crisis in Hyderabad underscores the urgent need for coordinated public health responses, improved municipal infrastructure, and greater accountability of local authorities to protect the lives and health of citizens.

Google Maps Hotspot Visualization

Here are the key dengue hotspots in Hyderabad, Sindh, mapped with their coordinates:

Major Dengue Hotspots Map

1. Hyderabad City Center

  • Location: 25.395969°N, 68.357776°E
  • Status: Administrative center with surrounding affected areas
  • View on Google Maps

2. SITE Industrial Area

  • Location: 25.367138°N, 68.390158°E
  • Risk Level: CRITICAL – High worker concentration, stagnant water, no fumigation campaign
  • Affected Population: Thousands of industrial workers
  • View on Google Maps

3. Qasimabad

  • Location: 25.398846°N, 68.339890°E
  • Risk Level: HIGH – Legal proceedings filed, historical dengue prevalence
  • Characteristics: Western Hyderabad, water storage issues
  • View on Google Maps

4. Latifabad

  • Location: 25.366910°N, 68.351814°E
  • Risk Level: HIGH – Southern suburbs, water shortage leading to storage
  • Characteristics: Residential township, mosquito breeding identified
  • View on Google Maps

5. Hussainabad

  • Location: 25.378033°N, 68.323494°E
  • Risk Level: MODERATE-HIGH – Near Indus River, poor drainage
  • Characteristics: Named in negligence lawsuit
  • View on Google Maps

6. Liaquat University Hospital (Treatment Center)

  • Location: 25.400187°N, 68.367154°E
  • Capacity: Overcrowded, special dengue wards established
  • Rating: 4.2/5 (100 reviews) – complaints about inadequate facilities
  • View on Google Maps

Sources Referenced

  1. Business Recorder – 175 new dengue cases in Sindh
  2. The Express Tribune – Surge in dengue: citizen sues officials
  3. Daily Times – Alarm over rise in dengue fever cases
  4. The Nation – Anti-dengue teams conduct survey
  5. ARY News – Minister reports 819 dengue cases
  6. Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Facebook Official Page
  7. Various community Facebook groups documenting fumigation activities