LAHORE: The number of fresh cases of dengue virus during the last 24 hours jumped to 131 across the province, taking the tally to 776.

Of them, 126 patients tested positive in Lahore, which is sharing an enormous burden of the disease as compared to other parts of Punjab.

The health experts warned that the recent massive spell of rains increased the threat of dengue larvae, which needs to be tackled on an urgent basis.Meanwhile, Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch directed the health officials to intensify dengue prevention activities.

He said the precautionary measures against dengue are very important. Citizens should be more responsible in preventing dengue during monsoon, especially rainwater should not accumulate in residential areas.

The health secretary said out of total 776 confirmed cases of dengue, 623 were reported from Lahore since January of this year.

He said the health teams checked 348,421 indoor and 77,677 locations across Punjab during the last 24 hours. Of them, larvae was destroyed from 127 locations.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2021