Dengue infects 7000, claims 44 victims

Punjab health department seals four labs in Lahore for overcharging.

ISLAMABAD /LAHORE: The number of Dengue patients has soared past 7000 in Punjab out of which 6000 are from Lahore alone.

44 deaths have been reported due to dengue fever so far.

Meanwhile 55 new cases have been reported in the Federal Capital bringing the total in Islamabad to 180.

Dengue cases are rapidly increasing in Lahore triggering further panic among the public.

44 people have so far died from dengue fever in Punjab.

Hundreds of people have been visiting government and private hospitals every day to get their blood tests done as a precaution.

During such trying times, hospitals have imposed an emergency and have converted administration blocks into dengue wards.

In Islamabad, emergency has been declared at all hospitals.

46 dengue patients have been admitted in public hospitals of the Federal Capital while 55 new cases have been reported overall.

Labs sealed

Punjab health department sealed four medical labs in Lahore, while their owners have been arrested on charges of overcharging for conducting 'complete blood count' tests.

The Punjab government directed all government hospitals to conduct free CBC tests of dengue patients, under section 144.

Meanwhile, all private laboratories have been directed to charge, a standard 90 rupees fee for the CBC test.

The laboratories sealed, by the health department are located on Shalimar link road Lahore.