By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

Health officials with the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Pakistan say the number of dengue fever cases reported in 2019 is a record. According to Pakistan NIH official, Dr Rana Safdar, a record-breaking 44,000 people have been infected with mosquito-borne dengue in Pakistan this year.

Image/CIA

The previous record was 27,000 in 2011. To date, 66 dengue-related fatalities have been reported.

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Sadar says climate change is to blame for the surge; however, Physician Dr Mahseema Siddique, who treats dengue patients, blamed the government for the rise in cases, saying local authorities in Punjab and Islamabad in particular had failed to take precautions such as covering up water reservoirs or spraying anti-dengue chemicals.