Dengue strikes: 26 more pat ients including three PTI councillors fall victim

15th case reported from Mingora

BATKHELA/MINGORA:

About 26 more people tested positive for dengue fever at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Batkhela on Monday. This has increased the total number of patients affected by the deadly virus to 38.

DHQ dengue ward in-charge Dr Tanvir said 26 more patients were admitted on Monday evening and one of them was sent to Peshawar in critical condition for further treatment.

Three elected councillors of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf - district councillor Nasir Khan, tehsil councillor Usman and youth councillor Shahid Khan – were also among those who fell prey to the virus. Malakand district health officer (DHO) Dr Wakeel has declared them high-risk patients for dengue.

Advisor to the chief minister MPA Shakeel Khan visited the dengue ward in DHQ Batkhela and instructed the faculty to treat patients with utmost care, and with the best quality equipment.

The health department, district administration and locally elected representatives have said an awareness campaign regarding preventive measures against dengue virus will be arranged soon.

A conference was held by the civil administration, elected members and civil society under the surveillance of DHO Dr Wakeel. He said 4,190 cases of dengue fever were reported in 2013, however, 2014 was a relatively dengue-free year. “This year 26 cases have surged in Batkhela and despite efforts on the part of the health department to eradicate the disease, a lack of awareness among the people has led to the return of the virus,” Wakeel said.

On this occasion, the local elected representatives exchanged ideas on how best to overcome the recurring disease. Assistant DHO Dr Sabih Salauddin ordered regular fumigation, use of coils and insect repellents, and strictly forbade leaving water buckets uncovered.

Meanwhile, another case of dengue has been reported from Swat on Monday, increasing the number of dengue patients to 15 from
the district.

According to an official of the Saidu Teaching Hospital (STH) administration, a woman named Samina Bibi, a resident of Batkhela, was brought to the hospital in a critical condition on Sunday night. She had been admitted to the intensive care  unit (ICU).

According to STH medical superintendent Dr Maqsood, despite fumigation and multiple campaigns against the deadly disease, cases are surging. “It is indeed an alarming situation,” he said, “but fortunately none of them have proven to be fatal.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2015.