Seven dengue patients seem to be facing complications while three others are being kept in the intensive care unit. PHOTO: FILE
A day after the dengue virus claimed two lives in Swat, 73 new cases were confirmed by Saidu Teaching Hospital (STH) on Tuesday.
The total number of people admitted at STH since the outbreak has now touched 1,673, according to STH dengue cell in-charge Dr Wasil Ahmed. He added 72 patients were recently discharged after recovering from the debilitating fever.
“Currently, 248 patients including 11 children are hospitalised. Forty nine of the patients have been admitted in the newly-established dengue unit,” he said.
Seven dengue patients seem to be facing complications while three others are being kept in the intensive care unit (ICU), informed Dr Wasil. One patient has been referred to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, he added.
Though a large number of patients are visiting STH due to fear caused by the outbreak, around 80% are sent back after testing negative for the virus, he said, adding patients can get tested free of cost.
“I felt fatigue and my entire body was aching so I came for a diagnosis in the government lab. But thank God I tested negative,” said Iqbal Khan, a relieved patient.
Pain reliever Paracetamol is in great demand as a result of the disease and patients in the district complain it is not as readily available in the markets. “I have been looking for Panadol tablets, but could not find any even after searching at more than 20 shops in Mingora,” said Ayaz, a local.
In an effort to curb the disease, the provincial government has organised awareness sessions and walks throughout the district. Students of Government High School, Mingora held a walk from Green Chowk to Shorab Khan Chowk, holding banners inscribed with informative slogans.
Mansehra
Health authorities have detected two new cases of dengue and the patients have been admitted to King Abdullah Teaching Hospital (KATH), officials said on Tuesday.
KATH Medical Superintendent Dr Niaz Muhammad said the blood samples of both patients have been sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH) for testing.
“Abdul Rasheed, 39, a resident of Dabb area, and Feroz, 41, from Ghazo village in Mansehra were brought to the hospital with high fever, body ache and red-eyes. Initial pathological investigation confirmed the platelet count in their blood was considerably low,” he said.
The patients were admitted to the hospital and are being kept in isolation. They are said to be out of danger, but the virus can only be confirmed once reports arrive from NIH in Islamabad, added Dr Niaz.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2013.
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