KARACHI: Government hospitals across Karachi are currently experiencing a massive influx of gastroenteritis and diarrhea cases, leaving emergency wards completely overwhelmed. The city’s major public healthcare facilities are reporting a critical surge in daily admissions; Civil Hospital Karachi is receiving over 200 patients daily with stomach-related illnesses, while Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) is treating upwards of 150 cases per day. According to Dr. Imran from JPMC, the majority of these patients are presenting with severe symptoms including acute abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, and loose motions.
Medical experts have attributed this alarming spike primarily to the consumption of improperly stored sacrificial meat following Eid-ul-Adha. Health professionals warned that meat kept in freezers for extended periods can cause severe gastrointestinal infections if it is not thawed and cooked thoroughly. This risk is further compounded by the ongoing intense heatwave, which accelerates rapid bacterial growth in food, making unhygienic street food and contaminated water highly hazardous. In response to this deteriorating situation, health authorities have strongly advised citizens to practice strict hygiene, ensure they drink only boiled water, and strictly avoid stale meat or outdoor dining to protect themselves from the outbreak.
