Fear of disease adds to misery of survivors

UN confirms the country’s first cholera case in Mingora. 36,000 people said to be suffering from acute diarrhoea.

NOWSHERA: As the UN confirms the country’s first cholera case in Mingora, at least 36,000 people are said to be suffering from acute diarrhoea and observers fear that the deadly outbreak of the disease will only get worse.

Hundreds of flood victims queued for aid in Nowshera as UN officials confirmed that cases of cholera had surfaced in flood-ravaged areas of the country. The announcement only added to the misery of the 20 million people.

A doctor for the Ummah Welfare Organisation, Mumtaz Khan, said that they have not treated any patients for cholera as yet, even though officials have said they have found some cases in hospitals. “We are treating patients with scabies, gastritis, malaria and skin infections, and our institute is providing them with medicines,” he said.

World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, Guido Sabatinelli, told Express 24/7 that there had not yet been any “sustained transmission” of the disease, but it was important to detect the cases when they occur so that an immediate action can be taken stop any further spread

“We are deploying and establishing an appropriate centre and we are also deploying the kits and equipment that are necessary to deal with the situation,” he added.

Cholera can lead to severe dehydration and death without prompt treatment, and containing cholera outbreaks is considered a high priority following floods. Aid experts say the pace of international aid coming into Pakistan has been relatively slow compared to other major crises.

Meanwhile, a spread of an eye disease known in medical language as conjunctivitis has been reported in the flood affected areas of Nowshera and Peshawar districts as ophthalmologist at major hospitals have confirmed receiving patients complaining of redness and itching in their eyes.

“A number of patients infected with conjunctivitis have been received at the hospital as well as medical camps set up at the relief camps,” said Dr Mukhtiar of the Lady Reading Hospital.

Talking to a news agency, Dr Mukhtiar said that the cause of conjunctivitis infection is both viral and bacterial, adding that the spread of such allergies after the flood is expected.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness, discharge, burning, itching and light sensitivity, Dr Mukhtiar added. The most common cause of conjunctivitis is a viral infection. Other causes include seasonal allergies, bacterial infection, and reactions to eye medications. (Additional input from APP)

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2010.