DENGUE IN 2025 EVOLVING EPIDEMIOLOGY, DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGES, AND THE URGENT NEED FOR INTEGRATED VECTOR CONTROL

Abstract

As we enter 2025, dengue fever continues to pose one of the most formidable public health challenges across tropical and subtropical regions including Pakistan, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Middle East ¹. The epidemiological landscape of dengue has changed considerably over the past decade, driven by climate variability, rapid urbanization, human mobility, and the expanding geographic distribution of Aedes mosquitoes. This year, global surveillance networks are already reporting earlier seasonal onset, higher viral circulation, and a worrisome rise in secondary infections that predispose patients to severe dengue ².

         The burden of dengue in 2025 is not merely a continuation of past trends but a reflection of deeply rooted systemic vulnerabilities. Increased rainfall variability, unplanned urban settlements, and inadequate waste management systems have created ideal breeding environments for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus ³. In high-density populations such as those in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Dhaka, and Manila, mosquito indices have surpassed previous thresholds within the first quarter of the year. These patterns signal the potential for prolonged transmission, expanded outbreaks, and greater pressure on healthcare services ⁴.