Dengue Virus Circulating Widely In Eastern Afghanistan, Says WHO
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) says suspected dengue cases in Nangarhar province have risen sharply this month.
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) says suspected dengue cases in Nangarhar province have risen sharply this month.
According to the organisation more than 1,000 suspected infections recorded in November, an increase of nearly 8 percent compared with October. The organisation says no deaths have been reported.
Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted to humans by the Aedes, or tiger, mosquito.
According to the report, 41.6 percent of those infected were women, and around 98 percent of patients were older than five years. WHO figures show that since the start of 2025, 4,384 suspected cases have been documented across six provinces: Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Kabul, Ghazni and Paktia.
Of the 1,096 samples collected and tested, 685 were confirmed positive for dengue, meaning roughly six in ten people tested had the virus, a sign of active circulation in eastern Afghanistan.
The WHO warns that the increase in cases requires strengthened surveillance, reinforced rapid-response teams and improved public awareness to prevent further spread.
