ISLAMABAD, Nov 2: The government’s efforts to contain dengue fever have drawn a blank, as the number of confirmed cases in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have crossed the 100 mark. Delay in the arrival of the winter season is also contributing to the spread of the disease.

The Health Ministry Thursday said that the total number of positive dengue fever cases now stood at 105. There were 813 cases of the fever countrywide, while death tally remained at 31.

Dengue fever outbreak is putting further strain on an already inadequate health infrastructure. By Thursday evening, the number of suspected patients admitted to different hospitals in the country had risen to about 2500.

Federal Health Minister Nasir Khan had Tuesday claimed that the fever outbreak had been contained. In the first week of the outbreak of disease from October 12-19, 25 confirmed cases were reported from the twin cities, while in the second week from October 20-28, 46 fresh cases were reported.

During the past five days, this figure has jumped to 105 belying the claims of the government to have controlled the disease.

The health officials had been pinning their hopes on the arrival of the winter season to contain the disease, as falling mercury could have halted the breeding of mosquitoes. However, it did not happen, exposing their tall claims.

Federal Health Secretary Anwar Mehmood had told recently told the media persons that dengue fever outbreak will subside with the arrival of winter season.

The temperatures these days are unusually higher than what could have been normally expected during this period of the year. Met officials are not expecting a significant lowering of mercury over the next week.

This unusual situation is because of dry spell, the health officials said, adding that cold waves were still not directed towards Pakistan.

Met office has forecast light rain in northern parts of the country after a week, which could bring about some change in the hilly areas, whereas little or no respite is expected in plains.

Meanwhile, despite claims of anti-mosquito spray and fogging in the affected districts by the municipal authorities concerned, little or no activity is being witnessed on the ground.

The municipal authorities are responsible for eliminating mosquitoes, the vector for the disease.

The speakers at a discussion arranged by the Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) on Thursday demanded solid and concrete steps by the government to control the disease.

Speaking at the discussion, Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, Deputy Medical Superintendent Social Security Hospital, Islamabad, said that children below 15 years of age were prone to the fever.

Dr. Alam Shah said people suffering from this infection should take extra precautions, as second infection could lead to serious complications.

Dengue fever has two type of complications: one is dengue haemorrhagic fever and the other is shock.