This was stated at a meeting of Health Department which reviewed the pre-cautionary arrangements to protect people from the attack of dengue virus in the province here Tuesday. Special Secretary Health Dr Suresh Kumar, Director General Health, Medical Superintendents of all hospitals, representative of WHO attended the meeting.

The victims hail from North Nazimabad Town, Lyari Town, Clifton, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Malir Town.

Secretary Health Aftab Khatri, while presiding over the meeting, said that on the instructions of Sindh Health Minister Dr Saghir Ahmed, all hospitals of Sindh have been asked to reserve dedicated beds for dengue virus patients.

He pointed that arrangements have been to ensure availability of dengue test kits and medicines at these hospitals.

Similarly, private hospitals have been obligated to report dengue virus cases to dengue surveillance cells, working round-the-clock at the office of Director General Health Hyderabad and Civil Hospital Karachi to prepare a data about this disease.

The meeting decided to launch awareness campaign about dengue virus in the province in collaboration with Local Government. Under the campaign, college and school students will be informed about the virus as well as safety measures.

Pamphlets will be distributed in the entire province while media campaign will be launched for creating awareness about dengue virus. The meeting was informed that anti-mosquito spray campaign has been started in several areas.