Meningitis outbreak reported in RY Khan

12 people died, aged between 2-30 years

RAHIM YAR KHAN:

District Health Authority CEO Dr Hassan Khan has said that 12 deaths, including six children, from meningitis within the same community were reported in the Mouza Tajpur Pirwala of Ruknpur area earlier this week. The victims aged between two years to 30 years.

He added that when the deaths came to the notice of the health department, emergency response teams immediately reached
the spot.

On the instructions of the Deputy Commissioner, CEO Health led these teams and all necessary measures were taken with reference to public health.

Principal Sheikh Zaid Medical College formed a team consisting of three specialist doctors who diagnosed the disease as meningitis, in the light of the reported symptoms and laboratory reports.

The DC held a detailed meeting with officers from Sheikh Zaid Medical College and the District Health Authority, where detailed instructions were issued regarding the future steps.

Health Department teams reached the area and are taking the necessary steps on a daily basis.

On January 5, a team of specialist doctors of Sheikh Zaid Medical College and District Health Authority will return to the site and take blood samples and examine the residents there.

The DC instructed that over the next two weeks, health department and finance department teams will be present in the affected area daily to prevent further spread of meningitis.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2023.