Stomach bug: Four said to be dead of gastroenteritis

MANSEHRA:

Four people, including two minors, have reportedly died of gastroenteritis in different parts of the district while over 24 are said to be suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting, sources said on Thursday.

Ghulam Hussain, a resident of Seeta village in Panjhol union council, said his wife Ishrat Bibi, 45, died of gastroenteritis on Tuesday after suffering from acute vomiting and diarrhoea. Hussain said he took her to the basic health unit (BHU) in Panjhol, but she could not survive due to lack of proper treatment.

He added it was the fourth death in the union council during the last one and a half week. Earlier this week, nine-year old Amina, Hamza Khan, 11, and Shahbaz, 44, died of the same symptoms in Nika Panjhol, Saidabad and Kalas Ochari villages, respectively.

According to Omer, another local, over 24 villagers are suffering from gastric problems.

The district health officer was not available for comment due to a field visit, but an official requesting anonymity said none of the four deaths have been reported from any of the government health facilities. The official added they may have died of other causes, but said the health department has dispatched medical teams to the affected areas.

He also advised villagers to contact the nearest public health facility in case of similar symptoms and avoid self medication.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2013.