ISLAMABAD, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 86 new dengue fever cases were reported on Saturday in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, said a statement on Sunday.
The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department of Punjab said in a statement that the latest cases were reported from nine different districts, including Rawalpindi, where 74 cases were reported in a single day.
The department added that two cases each were reported from the districts of Mianwali, Gujranwala, Attock, and Sheikhupura, while districts of Lahore, Kasur, Chakwal, and Sahiwal came up with one case each.
According to the statement, the new cases had increased the overall tally of the province to 1,047 cases this year.
The healthcare department said that it had completed arrangements to contain the spread of the disease with all public hospitals on high alert to isolate and treat the patients.
Stressing the importance of vigilance and efforts to halt the virus's spread, the health department urged the public to strictly adhere to the guidelines, warning that negligence in preventive efforts could cause the spread of the virus. ■