West Indian cricketers on guard against dengue

LAHORE: West Indies cricketers have been advised to take precautionary measures to avoid dengue fever which has killed 37 people in Pakistan in the last few months, official said on Saturday.   

West Indies are on a tour of Pakistan to play three Tests and five one-day internationals and are also due to play in Karachi.   

"Team physio Steven Partridge has talked to the players and have told them about the precautionary measures for the fever," West Indies media liaison officer Imran Khan said.   

The mosquito-borne virus has swept across Pakistan in the last two months and the worst hit region is the southern Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital.   

Health ministry officials said 1,458 patients had been diagnose with the fever.   

Khan said players had not been given any preventive medicines or vaccination.   

"Not at this moment, but it is a worry and we have to take precautionary measures."   

West Indies appear to face a greater danger from Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul, who claimed five wickets from the tourists in the first day of the opening Test here Saturday.