Battling fever: Unofficial death toll from dengue touches 40

MINGORA:

The unofficial death toll in Swat reached 40 after another man succumbed to dengue on Friday.

Ameen Khan, a resident of Malookabad died at home, residents said. Saidu Teaching Hospital (STH) spokesperson Dr Wasil Ahmed confirmed 85 new cases of dengue fever were confirmed on Friday, after which the total number of patients mounted to 3,472.

According to him, 68 patients were discharged from STH after complete recovery, bringing the total number of discharged patients to 3,209. “238 patients including 182 males and 56 females are currently admitted to the dengue cell at STH. Of these, 17 are children,” said Dr Wasil.

He added 35 patients were in critical situation and suffering from complications. Thirty of them, including 23 males and 7 females, have been moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) while one patient was also referred to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar.

According to the District Health Office, 145 new cases of dengue fever have been confirmed and the total count for Swat district reached 6,667 on Friday.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2013.