LAHORE, Nov 18: As the number of dengue patients has touched an alarming 1,000 in Lahore on Tuesday, the provincial health department has finally confirmed five deaths due to the disease.

“An investigation into a number of suspected dengue cases reveal that the disease has so far claimed five lives in Lahore,” Punjab Health Services Director-General Dr Aslam Chaudhry informed Dawn. Three victims breathed their last in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and two in Services Hospital, he said, claiming that the health department was not concealing any dengue-related death.

Meanwhile, the department has yet to investigate reasons behind surge in the disease this year. There were only 200 dengue cases reported last year and some 100 in 2006 in the city. Before 2006, hardly a case of dengue fever was reported here. It seems that the authorities concerned are satisfied on initial reports that the virus of the disease reached here through Sindh.

Dr Aslam, however, claimed that a study in this respect had been launched and its findings would be made public soon. He said the number of new patients would decrease with drop in mercury and extensive fumigation and residual insecticide spray currently under way in the city.

Allama Iqbal Medical College Principal Prof Javed Akram told Dawn that he had proposed to the health department establishment of Reference Laboratory where data about traceability and mapping of the dengue patients could be kept that would help determine the real causes of the disease outbreak. He said 1,000 dengue patients in Lahore meant that the number could be far more.

He also suggested that the government must start planning to prevent the disease next year.

Most cases have been reported in Kot Khwaja Saeed, Misri Shah, Shadbagh, Ghoray Shah, Chah Miran, Badami Bagh, Shahdara, Sheranwala Gate, Mughalpura, localities along Bund Road, Gulshan-i-Ravi and Multan Road.

A study suggests that if properly treated, the mortality rate of dengue has been less than 1 per cent compared to 10 per cent of malaria and tuberculosis. The main symptoms of dengue are high fever, severe headache, backache, joint pains, nausea and vomiting besides eye pain and rash.

Doctors say those who suspect that they have dengue should use analgesics (pain relievers) with acetaminophen but avoid those containing aspirin. They should also take maximum rest, consume plenty of fluids and consult a physician. “If not properly treated, dengue may become the dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) that can be fatal”.

The DHF could be characterised by a fever that lasted from two to seven days, with general signs and symptoms that could occur with many other illnesses like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and headache.

The doctors say the best preventive measure for residents living in areas infested with the mosquito called aedes aegypti will be to eliminate the places where it can lay eggs on, primarily artificial water containers.

Plastic water container, 55-gallon drums, buckets, used automobile tyres, pet and animal watering containers and vases with fresh flowers, indoor plants can be the best breeding places for aedes aegypti.

Pet and animal watering containers and vases with fresh flowers and indoor plants should be emptied and scoured at least once a week. This would eliminate the mosquito eggs and larvae and reduce their number in these places.

The risk of being bitten by mosquitoes indoors could be reduced by utilisation of air-conditioning or properly screened windows and doors.