Five dengue patients died during the 24 hours till this morning showing an alarming trend of dengue this year.

At least 1,246 dengue patients were hospitalised across the country during this time which is the highest in a single day this year.

With the new deaths, the total number of deaths in dengue rose to 88 this year while total number of cases rose to 16,143, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Some 3,791 dengue patients are still undergoing treatment while a total of 12,264 were released from hospitals.

Total number of deaths in dengue was 281 last year while the total number of cases was 62,382, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Experts urged authorities concerned to conduct extensive drives identifying clusters of Aedes mosquitoes as soon as possible.