MINGORA, Sept 29: Swat acting deputy commissioner Farrukh Attique on Sunday claimed that dengue positive cases had been reduced by 50 per cent due to public awareness about the mosquito-borne disease.

Addressing a press briefing at his office here Mr Attique said that change in weather by October 15 would also cause drop in dengue cases. He added that cold weather would help eliminate breeding places of dengue mosquitoes.

Mr Attique said that 300 to 350 positive dengue cases had been reported each day since the disease surfaced in Mingora.

“Now we are witnessing decline in number of positive cases as on average 149 cases are being reported per day at the Saidu Sharief hospital, private hospitals and laboratories across the district,” he said.

MNA Ayesha Syed and MPAs Fazal Hakeem, Mohibullah and Azizullah were also in attendance.

The Swat acting deputy commissioner said that committees formed to create awareness about dengue had been doing their job effectively.

“We also engaged students in awareness campaign and till now 0.5 million pamphlets have been distributed among people through them,” he said, adding that residents of Mingora city and traders were also taking part in awareness activities.

Meanwhile, provincial health minister Shoukat Yousafzai on Sunday visited Saidu hospital and enquired after dengue patients. He directed the officials to ensure proper treatment of the patients.

Meanwhile, Dr Wasil Khan, focal person for dengue emergency unit at the Saidu hospital, said on Sunday that 87 more residents tested positive for dengue, taking the number of affected people to around 6,840.

He said 72 patients were discharged from the hospital on Sunday.

Dr Khan said that 29 out of 35 patients in critical condition had been shifted to high dependency unit, adding that there were 22 men and seven women.