LAHORE: Sixty-seven more people tested positive for dengue fever across Punjab during the last 24 hours as the province is apparently heading fast towards the dengue outbreak in absence of anti-dengue activities and proper surveillance by the health authorities.

It is the highest number of positive cases of dengue disease reported since January this year.

There is also a report of death of a suspected dengue patient at a private hospital of the city but the health authorities are reluctant to confirm it officially.

According to the data, out of 67 new dengue cases, 28 were reported from Lahore while others surfaced in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Bahawalnagar, Toba Tek Singh, Narowal, Muzaffargarh, Chal(wal, Rahim Yar Khan, Khushab, Gujranwala and Nankana Sahib.

The reports further suggested that the total number of dengue cases reported from January to Aug 29 reached 1,042 across the province.

Of them, 369 were reported in Lahore while 165 in Rawalpindi, 88 in Faisalabad, 143 in Multan and 39 cases were reported in Sheikhupura.

The official data shows 61 patients were under treatment at hospitals of Punjab. The Punjab government has allocated a total 2,678 beds for dengue patients at publichospitals of the province.

Talking aboutthe spread ofthe disease,an ofHcial said the recent monsoon spell in most part of Punjab had caused growth of dengue mosquito larvae.

He said the anti-dengue surveillance units of the Punjab health department delayed activities, ignoring several complaints of accumulation of the rainwater.

The official said as the activities to destroy larvae slowed down, it led to the spread of the dengue virus.

-Staff Reporter