Staff Reporter
The provincial metropolis on Friday recorded the highest number of Dengue virus cases with three patients succumbed to the deadly virus during the past 24 hours, prompting the Health officials to issue an alert about the dengue outbreak in the City.
With the three patients lost the battle to Dengue, the total number of deaths reached to 23 so far in the current.
According to health officials, as many as 373 people were diagnosed with the Dengue virus in Lahore, taking the total number of reported cases to over 4,000 in the City so far. The officials informed that more than 837 patients are in critical condition in different hospitals of the City.
According to Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, the government has increased the number of beds in hospitals for Dengue patients.
The health experts say the active period for dengue attacks is two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset. The breeding stops once the temperature falls below 16 degrees Celsius.
In view of the rising Dengue cases in the City, Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch visited the office of the Director General Punjab Health Services and held a meeting to review arrangements for dealing with the situation. Director CDC and Lahore Health Authority Acting CEO Dr Faisal were also attended the meeting.
Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch took a detailed review of the dengue situation across Punjab and assured that health Reference Lab will assist in enhancing the capacity of Dengue Diagnostic Tests at Dengue Field Hospital Expo centre.
Imran Sikandar Baloch claimed that government hospitals across Punjab province have adequate medical facilities including beds, medicines and diagnostic tests for dengue patients, adding that additional beds have been allotted to handle emergency situation in hospitals.
He further instructed CEO Health Lahore Dr Faisal to ensure effective monitoring of all anti-dengue activities in the City personally.
The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department has been taking comprehensive steps in collaboration with the Specialized Health Care and Medical Education Department to eradicate Dengue, he assured.
It is to be noted that the country has witnessed a sharp increase in dengue cases post-monsoon season. Hospitals in big cities, including Islamabad and Karachi, are filling up with patients.
Islamabad has seen a rise in the cases too. More than 121 people reported the fever on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 1,077 in the federal capital. Another 59 people were diagnosed with dengue fever in Rawalpindi.
Sindh reported 34 dengue cases in the last 24 hours. Karachi and Hyderabad have reported 21 and 5 dengue cases, respectively. So far, 530 people were diagnosed with dengue fever in Sindh and five people have lost their lives.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has recorded a total of 3,569 dengue fever cases this year. Peshawar has reported the highest number of cases, 102, in the province.
On the other hand, Balochistan has recorded the lowest dengue patients. At least 10 cases have been reported in the province.
