Jaundice outbreak claims man's life in Rahim Yar Khan

Several people have lost their lives since the disease outbreak earlier in 2018

RAHIM YAR KHAN:  

A man died of jaundice after battling for his life at a hospital. The increasing number of casualties has sent alarm bells ringing among health officials of the region.

Doctors at the health facility told Express News that three patients suffering from jaundice were admitted to the hospital in critical condition. They said the patients were being provided treatment, but the condition of one of them quickly deteriorated and he died during the treatment.

The victim was identified as 70-year-old Muhammad Ali, a resident of Sahja. The other two patients who were being treated at the health facility were identified as 55-year-old Haleema Bibi, a resident of Canal Park, and 45-year-old Noor Khan, a resident of Chak No 229.

Similarly, jaundice cases continue to be reported at different health facilities across Rahim Yar Khan, including Tehsil Headquarter Hospital in Sadiqabad, Tehsil Headquarter Hospital in Khanpur and Tehsil Headquarter Hospital in Liaquatpur.

The district has been badly affected with jaundice that has claimed the lives of several people in 2018. Data collected from different hospitals across the city showed that a large number of elderly people and children have suffered the deadly disease.

While commenting on the situation, health experts told Express News that contaminated underground water and unavailability of water filtration plants are the main reasons contributing towards the spread of disease.

Experts pointed out that there are three types of this syndrome. The first is pre-hepatic jaundice in which people usually get infected as a result of liver ailment or injury.

The second is hepatocellular jaundice which arises due to the breakdown of red blood cells called hemolysis. The third is obstructive jaundice which could trigger due to the blockage in the bile tube. This is stops bilirubin from leaving the liver.

They said that apart from turning the eyes and skin yellow, brown or orange, some of the most common warning signs include dark-colored urine, pale-colored stool, belly ache, weight reduction, temperature, nausea and exhaustion etc.

Health experts said that if left untreated, jaundice could lead to liver failure.