CHIKF outbreak triggers health emergency

A suspected outbreak of chikungunya has triggered a major health response in the Ziarat Kaka Sahib area of Nowshera district, where more than 200 patients have been reported during the past several days, prompting health authorities and the district administration to launch emergency measures to contain the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.

According to health officials, six cases were initially confirmed as chikungunya, while samples from a large number of other suspected patients were sent to laboratories for diagnosis. The growing number of patients reportedly placed pressure on local health facilities, with new patients being brought to hospitals on a daily basis.

District Health Officer Nowshera, Dr Akram Shah said that medical teams had collected and dispatched samples for laboratory testing and launched preventive measures in the affected localities. He said authorities had started a regular protective spraying campaign and were also conducting awareness sessions among residents, including visits to mosques to educate people about preventive measures.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Nowshera Gohar Zaman Wazir clarified that no deaths from chikungunya had so far been reported in Spin Kandare, an affected locality in Village Council Ziarat Kaka Sahib. He said three deaths reported earlier were caused by other illnesses, including cancer, and were not linked to the viral disease.

According to official reports cited by the district administration, 122 chikungunya cases have so far been confirmed in Spin Kandare. Various teams comprising district administration and Health Department personnel have been constituted under the supervision of the DHO to control the outbreak.

Provincial Health Minister Khaliqur Rehman took immediate notice of reports about the spread of the disease and directed the DHO Nowshera and other concerned health officials to take effective emergency measures. Following his instructions, health authorities visited the Category-D Hospital in the affected area and reviewed the availability of essential medicines, vaccines, doctors, nurses and other medical staff.

Health Department teams, accompanied by the spray staff of the Nowshera Tehsil Municipal Administration, have begun door-to-door indoor residual spraying in Spin Kandare and adjoining localities. Health workers are also checking containers and other places where stagnant water may provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, while residents are being advised to maintain cleanliness and eliminate standing water.

Medical teams are reportedly providing medicines to residents, while mosquito nets are also being distributed in the affected areas. The district administration has declared a health emergency and deployed additional health personnel at Ziarat Kaka Sahib Hospital.

The deputy commissioner expressed confidence that the outbreak would soon be brought under control and appealed to residents to cooperate fully with medical and relief teams. He said chikungunya was treatable with timely medical care and urged the public not to panic or spread rumours.