RAWALPINDI: More than 58 new dengue fever patients have been reported at government hospitals in Rawalpindi, bringing the tally to 364 in three hospitals.

At this time last year, a total of nine patients were reported from August to mid-September.

Despite the Punjab government`s efforts, the dengue virus is spreading, and doctors fear more patients will be admitted within the next few weeks, when the mercury is down.

At the Holy Family Hospital (HFH), 180 dengue fever patients were reported overthe last three weeks, and more than 57 patients are still in the hospital.

At Benazir Bhutto Hospital(BBH),150patients arrived, and 35 have been in isolation wards for the last two days.

At the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, 34 patients were brought in from various parts of the city and are still under treatment.

No dengue fever fatalities have been reported in government-run hospitals. Data from private hospitals is unavailable.

The district health department and local administration have no mechanism to check private hospitals` records.

There is also no record of dengue patients maintained at the Rawalpindi Cantonment General Hospital and Railways General Hospital.

Doctors have advised people to talce precautionary measures to avoid contracting the virus.

In particular, they directed the people to wear full sleeved shirts in the morning and evening, and ensure that their homes and its surrounding area is clean and that water is drained from the roof and from flower pots.