LAHORE – The spread of dengue fever in Punjab is accelerating, with 22 new confirmed cases reported in the past 24 hours. Health officials revealed that the provincial tally has now reached 1,055 patients, signaling an alarming rise during the peak mosquito breeding season. Lahore continues to remain a major hotspot, where one fresh case was confirmed on Monday, bringing the city’s total to 166. Authorities also warned that suspected infections are climbing quickly, as high humidity and temperatures provide ideal conditions for the aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary transmitter of the virus.Medical experts fear the situation could deteriorate further if preventive measures are not properly enforced. “This year’s trend indicates a higher risk than previous seasons,” a senior health official stated, urging the public to remain cautious. However, many hospitals across the province remain underprepared. Several government facilities have yet to establish dedicated dengue counters, compelling patients to turn to private hospitals where treatment costs are much higher. Families of affected patients have voiced frustration over delays in testing and treatment at public institutions.
Punjab Healthcare Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir acknowledged the seriousness of the outbreak, stressing that community involvement is vital. He appealed to citizens to adopt safety practices such as eliminating stagnant water, applying mosquito repellents, and conducting both indoor and outdoor spraying. “Preventing the breeding of dengue mosquitoes is critical,” he emphasized. Health workers are currently conducting door-to-door inspections and fumigation drives in high-risk areas to contain the spread.Officials further advised that using mosquito nets, wearing full-sleeved clothing, and keeping households dry are among the most effective precautions. Meanwhile, in a separate development, the specialised healthcare department held a meeting on adopting co-ablation technology for cancer treatment. According to King Edward Medical University VC Professor Mahmood Ayaz, the method could be particularly beneficial for patients diagnosed at an early stage.
Punjab Dengue Cases Cross 1,000 as Health Officials Warn of Escalation
