Epidemic hazard

BEACON thanks Dr. Muhammad Hakim for sharing the Chikungunya outbreak investigation report from Union Council Ziarat Kaka Saib in District Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. A total of 280 suspected chikungunya cases were recorded in Union Council Ziarat Kaka Saib, District Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, from 19 Aug to 05 Sep 2026, with the epidemic peaking on 29 Aug 2026 (81 new cases in a single day). Of 25 specimens tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 14 tested positive (56% positivity rate), representing laboratory testing of 8.9% of all suspected cases; no hospitalizations or deaths were reported. Geographic concentration was pronounced: Spin Kane village accounted for 53.9% of cases, and Saparay village for 15.7%, together comprising approximately 70% of the total caseload across more than 20 affected localities. The most affected age group was 20–29 years (51 cases, 18.2%), with a median age of 26 years (range: 1–76 years); females accounted for 52.5% of cases and males for 47.5%. Key environmental risk factors included sleeping outdoors (85.4%), blocked drainage (45.7%), stagnant water (44.3%), and prolonged electricity load-shedding averaging 16.3 hours per day. Bed net use was reported in 19.3% of cases, and repellent use in 16.1%. Only 21% of cases had a recent travel history, indicating predominantly local transmission.