KARACHI: Already reeling from the flooding, the situation in Sindh continues to deteriorate following a viral outbreak that has resulted in a sharpe rise in cases of malaria, diarrhoea, dysentry and dengue across Sindh and in the provincial capital Karachi.

The province reported 7,860 cases of diarrhoea in the last 24 hours. Of those, 3,725 cases that were reported are of children under five years of age. The remaining 4,135 of the reported cases were of children above five years of age, the Sindh Health Department said on Tuesday.

Another 471 cases of dysentry were also reported.

The Hyderabad Division - comprising nine districts including District Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Badin, Dadu, Jamshoro, Thatta and District Sujawal - was the worst affected, reporting 2,659 cases.

Diarrhea and dysentery are caused by contaminated water and dirt, experts say. They have advised using boiled water to drink and to avoid eating outside food. Health professionals have urged people to visit a hospital or specialist in case of vomitting or diarrhoea.

Dengue outbreak

Meanwhile, a sharp rise has been witnessed in the number of reported cases of dengue in Karachi.

In the last 24 hours, 97 cases were reported in Sindh. Of those, 94 cases were reported in Karachi.

District Central is the most affected by dengue, with 27 case reported in last 24 hours. 26 cases were reported from District East, 17 cases in District South, nine cases from West, seven cases from Kemari, and two each from Malir and Korangi districts.

Hydedrabad reported two dengue cases, while one case was reported in Larkana.

Since the beginning of the month, 347 cases have been reported in Karachi. In August, 1,265 cases were reported across Karachi.

Sindh Health Minister Azra Pechuho, speaking to the media earleir today, said that 2,922 cases were reported across Sindh. She had that while cases had increased, no deaths had been reported.

Health professionals point out that private hospitals are running out of space as cases rise. They have urged citizens to use repellants and bug sprays to ensure mosquitoes stay away. They also asked people to drink more water and eat fruits.

PDMA update

Another 14 people lost their lives in the last 24 hours in the province, the Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said in its daily situation report published on Tuesday. The report is update till 10pm of the previous day - Monday, September 5.

Of those killed, seven deaths were reported in Kashmore, five deaths in Larkana, while two deaths were reported in Ghotki. The dead include seven children, four women and three men.

The report also gives a cumulative figure of loss of life and other details since June 20, when the monsoon spell began. Between June 20 and September 536 people have died in Sindh. 199 men, 96 women and 232 children are among the dead.

The PDMA added that another 8,321 were injured. The injured included 2,923 men, 2,167 women and 3,231 children.

The report stated that 25,000 livestock deaths were reported by deputy commissioners.

Meanwhile, it added, the livestock department has reported 96,049 cattle deaths due to the floods.