Dengue outbreak: Death toll reaches 59 in Lahore, 9 more succumb to virus

About 8,000 people infected with the dengue virus.

LAHORE: Nine more patients in Lahore succumbed to the dengue virus on Wednesday taking the death toll to 59 in Lahore, Express 24/7 reported.

Over the last 48 hours, more than 1,000 patients have been diagnosed with dengue virus, while people are flocking to hospitals in Lahore.

(Read: Looming predicament: Dengue could spell disaster, if not curtailed)

According to Express 24/7 correspondent Muhammad Rizwan, about 8,000 people are infected with the dengue virus.

He added that the pandemic does not seem to be subsiding and is continuously on the rise in Lahore, contrary to the typical epidemic cycle – with the virus most active in the initial phases and weak in the later phases.

Lately, the dengue specialists who came from Sri Lanka pointed out that the hospitals in Lahore are contaminated with the virus, therefore, people who accompany patients are also falling prey to the epidemic.

Rizwan further added that the government had planned to launch a cleanliness drive – to clean up the puddles scattered around the city, and early testing services for the patients.

However, the epidemic is still augmenting because none of these two measures were taken, which is also evident from the rising death toll.

CM holds meeting on control of dengue

Punjab Chief Minister on Wednesday said that only those schools will be allowed to reopen which have taken satisfactory measures against dengue.

Addressing a meeting regarding the control of dengue, the chief minister said that all the town committees were asked to ensure fumigation of their respected areas.

These committees will issue certificates to the schools and only then the schools will be allowed to reopen.

The chief minister said that the provincial government is trying its best to provide all the necessary equipment to hospitals to deal with the current emergency situation.

Insecticides to be imported from India

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed the Pakistan International Airlines to bring insecticides from India to prevent further spread of dengue, Associated Press reported.

The insecticides will be bought from Mumbai and the Punjab government will bear the expenses.

However, the PIA is reluctant to airlift them due to rules which prohibit the transportation of these kinds of goods.

The premier’s instructions have led to a waiver because of the massive outbreak of the dengue fever throughout the country.