Pakistan, Oct. 17 -- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa confirmed 71 new dengue cases in the last 24 hours, according to a report from the Directorate-General Health Services. Of these, 27 patients are hospitalised, bringing the current number of admitted dengue patients to 48. Since the start of the year, the province has recorded 3,582 confirmed cases, 1,474 hospitalisations, and two deaths. Most patients have recovered, but authorities remain concerned.

Experts link the growing spread of dengue to changing climate patterns. Provincial Medical Entomologist Salahuddin Khan Marwat explained that moderate temperatures, high humidity, and extended monsoon rains have created ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. He said mosquitoes thrive between 18degC a...