A large number of people are reportedly using anti-mosquito products as precautionary measures.

Various shopkeepers in the main markets of city have made available these items in bulk as nowadays, their demand has increased manifold. There are also complaints of overcharging by the traders.

Shopkeepers said people had no confidence in the government's anti-dengue initiatives and were trying to protect themselves against the dengue attack on their own by using anti-mosquito sprays.

They said in view of the rising dengue deaths in Punjab and spread of the virus to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the sale and price of the repellent spray have noticed upward trend.

The shopkeepers said the rich and the poor alike were seeking the sprays, putting premium on their effectiveness rather than price. Nowadays, a good quality anti-mosquito spray was available in the market for Rs 225 to 250 which were earlier being sold at Rs 160 to 180. The price could rise further with the rise in demand, a shopkeeper said.

The people said had fumigation campaign been conducted soon after dengue cases began surfacing, the disease would have not spread in the province.

They said massive fumigation of the areas, where dengue spreading mosquito could breed, should be carried out without delay.

The use of electric devices to kill the flying insects especially mosquitoes has increased manifold among the people enhancing the sale of these devices up to 25 percent, said another shopkeeper.

Although, the administrations of twin cities are carrying out anti-dengue spray and conducting fumigation in various areas, but the citizens are also taking measures to protect themselves.

The dengue mosquito is more powerful than other types of mosquito, a health expert said adding if a person gets fever, breaking body or headache, red spots on body, vomiting and pain in eyes, he should get his blood test done and consult the doctor immediately.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011