LAHORE: Following rains, dengue cases are on the rise in Punjab as 20 people tested positive for the virus during the last week or so across the province.

The public health experts warned that the number of cases may further increase in the days to come following the stagnant water in the streets, ponds, rooftops of the buildings and on open places due to the spells of rain.

According to the official figures, 57 positive dengue cases were reported across Punjab during the last 30 days.

On the other hand, some officials claimed that the health authorities were not properly reporting statistics pertaining to dengue fever cases. They feared that the number of dengue cases may be 30 times more than what is being reported officially.

They said the family physicians running clinics in streets across Punjab were also reporting a considerable number of patients visiting with dengue fever symptoms.

The health authorities would have to expedite the anti-dengue activities to check and destroy larvae to stop the breeding of the mosquitoes causing dengue fever, the experts suggested.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2024