The Epidemic Outbreak Begins in Pakistan... "10 Children Die Every Day"

Cholera, Malaria, and Other Waterborne Infectious Diseases Outbreak
"Children Pale and Lethargic"
UN: "Thousands May Not Survive"

Displaced people are loading household items onto rafts to escape the flood-affected area in Zafarabad, Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Juri] Amid the worst flooding to hit Pakistan, with one-third of the entire country submerged due to record-breaking monsoon rains, waterborne diseases such as dengue fever and malaria are rampant. These diseases are particularly claiming the lives of low-income groups and young children, prompting the United Nations (UN) to issue warnings about the crisis.

According to reports from foreign media including the US-based CNN on the 25th (local time), the risk of infectious diseases has sharply increased in flood-affected Pakistan.

At a hospital in Sindh province, more than 10 children die daily, and due to poor local conditions, timely treatment is not being provided, foreign media reported.

CNN reported, "Dozens of children are tangled together sleeping on emergency room beds. Some children have lost consciousness due to severe illness, while others are crying in pain. All the children are pale and lethargic from malnutrition, many have protruding ribs and bulging eyes."

In particular, many have died from cholera, an acute diarrheal disease caused by drinking water contaminated with bacteria. Cholera is a highly contagious infectious disease that rapidly causes severe dehydration, which can lead to death.

Dengue fever, a viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is also breaking out. Only 25% of those infected show symptoms, but it causes flu-like symptoms such as severe headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, and rash. In extreme cases, it can lead to bleeding, shock, organ failure, and even death.

In addition, Pakistan is suffering from outbreaks of various diseases including diarrhea, dysentery, dengue fever, and malaria.

Karachi city was flooded due to heavy rain. More than 1,500 people died and over 33 million were displaced by this flood. Photo by AP Yonhap News

An emergency room doctor at a children's hospital in Sindh province told CNN in an interview, "It rained and flooding occurred. After that, patients came flooding in like a torrent," adding, "An unprecedented health crisis has occurred across Pakistan, but many people are not receiving help. If the international community and relief organizations do not act now, the situation will worsen."

Regarding this situation, a UNICEF official said, "There are no mosquito nets in the flood-affected areas. The mosquitoes in question cause diseases like malaria," warning, "Millions of children are struggling to survive, and thousands of them may not make it."

Meanwhile, more than 1,500 people have died and over 33 million have been displaced due to the floods in Pakistan. The Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority announced that from June 14th over three months, there have been 1,545 deaths and 12,850 injuries caused by the floods.

The floods submerged one-third of the country, destroyed more than 1.74 million houses, and about 660,000 people are staying in temporary relief shelters, with approximately 15 percent of the population affected by the disaster.