Two more lives lost, 36 infected with diseases

Doctors say three minors in critical condition

RAHIM YAR KHAN: At least two more people died due to jaundice while 36 people, including 18 minors suffering from gastroenteritis were admitted to different hospitals during 24 hours in Rahim Yar Khan. The total number of casualties from the deadly diseases crossed 50, data collected by Express News revealed.

Doctors at Sheikh Zayed Hospital said that 60-year-old Fazal Ahmed and 45-year-old Shakeel Ahmed were admitted to the health facility in critical condition after suffering from jaundice. However, their condition continued to deteriorate and they later died.

The bodies of the victims were handed over to their families after legal formalities. Meanwhile, 36 people infected with gastro were admitted to different hospitals across the district. The patients also included 18 minors. The victims were identified as two-year-old Maria, 20-year-old Muhammad Ali, 40-year-old Azmat Ali, 80-year-old Khursheed Bibi, eight-year-old Kashif, three-year-old Muhammad Farhan, two-year-old Mateen Ahmed and others.



Doctors said that condition of three minors was critical. However, all-out efforts were being made to save their lives.

Jaundice and gastro epidemic hit Rahim Yar Khan district earlier in May that resulted in the deaths of more than 50 patients, including children. Currently, the entire district is plagued with jaundice and gastro. In a district of more than 0.45 million people, hundreds succumb to these diseases each year, while deaths are reported from every corner of Rahim Yar Khan.

Health experts said that gastroenteritis happens when bacteria cause an infection in the gut. This causes inflammation in the stomach and the intestines and the patient may also experience symptoms such as vomiting, severe abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea. People should consume boiled water and wash their hands before eating, they said.

They maintained the main reason behind digestive disorders is the consumption of substandard food, spicy food and junk food and not getting enough exercise. They said most of the patients suffering from deadly ailments were children and from a younger age group, belonging to villages and surrounding areas.

Experts advised citizens to check the quality of food before buying it from shops as using unhygienic and recycled leftover food may cause severe stomach problems.

They pointed out that eating dishes made with leftovers could be major source of food poisoning, worsening one’s health if reheated or improperly stored items such as eggs, potatoes, rice, chicken, and mushrooms are consumed. They said leftovers cannot be kept for several days in the refrigerator as this practice may encourage the growth of bacteria.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2018.