Jaundice outbreak claims three lives in RYK

Test reports from three rural health centres reveal 63% population is infected with jaundice

RAHIM YAR KHAN:  

 

At least three people died of jaundice after battling for their lives at Sheikh Zayed Hospital during the past 24 hours. The total number of casualties caused by the disease has exceeded 110, data collected by Express News revealed.

Doctors at the hospital said that seven patients, suffering from jaundice, were admitted to the health facility. However, condition of three patients deteriorated and the later breathed their last at the hospital. The victims were identified as 18-year-old Arbab Ahmed, 80-year-old Abdul Rasheed and 45-year-old Ataullah.

Other patients being provided treatment were identified as 55-year-old Haseena Mai, 25-year-old Kausar Bibi, 40-year-old Ghulam Akbar and 65-year-old Abid Hussain.

Rahim Yar Khan has been plagued with jaundice and the disease has claimed the lives of several people this year. Most of the victims included adults and children.

Meanwhile, data collected from Shiekh Zayed Hospital stated that more than 110 people have lost their lives since the epidemic hit the district.

They added that fears of more casualties cannot be ruled out. Health experts said arsenic contamination of underground water, reusing syringes and a lack of filtration plants are the leading causes in the spread of this potentially fatal disease.

They added raising awareness and concerted preventive measures could help overcome the outbreak.

Earlier, when Express News collected and reviewed test reports from the district’s three rural health centres, two district headquarter hospitals and Shiekh Zayed Hospital, it transpired that 63% of the population had the disease.