Epidemic: Six more infected with gastro in Rahim Yar Khan

More than 50 patients have been admitted to various health facilities this summer

RAHIM YAR KHAN: At least six people, including women were admitted to Sheikh Zayed Hospital after being infected with gastroenteritis, officials told Express News.

The victims were suffering from dysentery and vomiting due to which their condition deteriorated, doctors at Sheikh Zayed Hospital said.

All the patients were being provided treatment, however condition of one of the victims was serious, the doctors added.

Those suffering from gastro were identified as 50-year-old Maqboolan Bibi, 63-year-old Saleema Akhtar, 13-year-old Abdul Sattar, Muslim, 20, 22-year-old Shahroz and five-year-old Hamza.

With increasing temperature and unhygienic conditions, the gastroenteritis epidemic is spreading like wildfire. More than 50 patients have so far been admitted to various health facilities of Rahim Yar Khan. Those currently being treated also include a large number of children.

Earlier, the health department’s official record revealed that at least 193,117 acute diarrhea patients (viral gastroenteritis) were admitted to government-run hospitals in Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Jhelum, Kasur, Khanewal, Layyah, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Sheikhupra, Toba Tek Singh, Vehari, Bhakkar, Chiniot, Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhang, Lodran Mianwali, Muzaffargarh, Nankana Sahib and other cities from January 1 to  May 11, 2017.

The highest number of patients suffering from the disease was reported in Lahore followed by DG Khan, Sheikhupura, Multan, Bahawalpur and Faisalabad.

Medical experts were of the view that the consumption of unhygienic food, drinks and contaminated water are major causes of such infectious diseases. They said the majority of the patients fall victim to such diseases due to hot weather and the use of contaminated water.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2018.