The Paradox of an Arboviral Pandemic Stalled by an Empty Sting

This opinion piece provides a critical examination of the new rhetoric surrounding arboviruses as potential drivers of future pandemics, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Although dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are significant public health threats in these regions, the author contends that their reliance on arthropod vectors inherently constrains their ability to cause pandemics. Overestimating the dangers of these infections can lead to resource misallocation, promote public distrust, and dilute the impact of health interventions in already fragmented health systems, with Pakistan serving as a prime example. The piece also warns against the alarmist use of the term "pandemic", advocating a balanced approach rather than sensationalist reporting, which could divert attention from public health priorities. Instead, it promotes a balanced, evidence-based evaluation of risks proportionate to ecological realities. In short, the article calls the attention of the scientific community to the merits of building regional capacities, promoting clear communication, and resisting the temptation of sensational but unlikely global health forecasting regarding arboviruses. Key words: Arboviruses, Epidemic, Epidemiology, Pandemic, Healthcare systems, Viral transmission, Pakistan.