Health scare: Dengue claims first victim in Shangla

Two more succumb to the fever in Swat.

MINGORA/ SHANGLA:

Dengue claimed its first casualty from Shangla district on Saturday when a patient died at Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, (THQ) Bisham, while two others died from the virus in Swat.

Dr Muhammad Mansoor, incharge of THQ Hospital Bisham’s dengue ward, said 24-year-old Khanzada, resident of Butyal, was shifted to the hospital three days ago and died on Saturday morning. Dr Mansoor added Khanzada had been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to his critical condition.

According to Dr Mansoor, a total of 461 dengue positive patients have been reported in Shangla, out of which 437 were from Bisham tehsil. Currently, 27 patients are admitted at THQ hospital, he added.

The official said the hospital lacked the required equipment, diagnostic kits, nets and medicines, but they had still managed to provide all necessary facilities to the admitted patients from available funds.

MNA Muhammad Rashad Khan visited the hospital on Friday and said he was in touch with local health authorities to help overcome the lack of equipment in all district hospitals.

Swat

The official dengue death toll in Swat rose to 31 and the unofficial to 52 after two more patients died on Saturday.

According to Dr Wasil Ahmed, spokesperson for Saidu Teaching Hospital (STH), 17-year-old Razaq Khan, resident of Kohistan, died due to dengue shock after which the total number of deaths in the hospital reached 31.

However, the second patient died at home and was therefore not confirmed by officials. According to locals, Hasnain Khan, 14, resident of Gumbat Maira, died of dengue.

Moreover, 53 new patients were admitted to the STH on Saturday after which the total number of registered patients reached 4,492. Dr Wasil added 40 patients were discharged from the hospital.

“Currently, 143 patients including 82 males and 61 females are hospitalised, while 25 are critically ill and receiving treatment in the ICU,” he stated.

Around 72 news dengue cases were identified in the district taking the total number of infected persons to 8,261 in Swat.

Dr Wasil told The Express Tribune the first dengue case was reported on August 14 and the maximum time for the prevalence of the disease in an area is one to two weeks.

He went on to add during the initial phase of the outbreak 200 to 300 patients were being reported daily, now the figure had decreased to less than 200.

He said the health department was taking steps for the prevention of dengue, and all departments need to make efforts to control its spread. He expressed fears if coordinated efforts were not made, dengue could soon spread to more districts of Malakand division.

Despite repeated attempts, Health Minister Shaukat Yousafzai could not be reached for comment.

Mardan

A total of 175 dengue positive patients were reported from Mardan on Saturday. Currently, 20 patients are admitted at Mardan Medical Complex while the rest are being treated at home.

Mardan Deputy Commissioner Amir Latif visited the hospital and expressed satisfaction over available facilities. Latif asked residents to adopt precautionary measures to prevent the further spread of dengue.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2013.