Mass Disease Outbreaks Follow Pakistan Floods: Millions at Risk of Cholera, Malaria, and Dengue

Mass Disease Outbreaks Follow Pakistan Floods: Millions at Risk of Cholera, Malaria, and Dengue
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Pakistan is facing a devastating second wave of crisis in the form of widespread disease outbreaks following the catastrophic floods that began in late June, affecting over 6 million people. The Guardian reports that even as floodwaters recede, crowded displacement camps and stagnant, sewage-contaminated water threaten the lives of millions of displaced persons.

The floods have killed nearly 1,000 people and displaced approximately 2.5 million. Now, the hastily erected temporary camps, which shelter over 56,000 people, have become epicenters for infectious diseases. Doctors in the city of Multan report a doubling of cholera and malaria cases, with gastrointestinal issues also surging.

The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that vector-borne diseases, primarily malaria, surged by 87 percent between June and August 2025. Dengue fever, eye infections, and skin allergies are also on the rise.

Camp residents are suffering from a critical lack of medical and sanitation facilities. According to The Guardian, one camp resident in Multan stated: “We need proper medical attention… the presence of a doctor is essential. We feel unsafe here in the camps.” The situation is exacerbated by a shortage of clean drinking water, basic sanitation, and the lack of safe, private latrines for women and girls, which also heightens their vulnerability to harassment and sexual violence.