Unrelenting outbreak: 80 patients admitted in Mansehra since September
Shangla district government imposes Section 144 to curb spread of the virus.
Shangla district government imposes Section 144 to curb spread of the virus. PHOTO: FILE
MANSEHRA/SHANGLA:
Over 80 people suspected to be suffering from dengue have been admitted in King Abdullah Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Mansehra during the last one month.
Officials of the KATH said the patients were brought from Baidra, Battagram, Kohistan, Balakot, Shinkari, Darband, Bafa and other neighbouring areas between September 10 and October 13.
According to a doctor at the KATH, the admitted patients had been experiencing symptoms of dengue fever i.e. low blood platelet count, severe body ache and high fever, however, none of them had symptoms of dengue haemorrhagic fever.
“They were admitted to the hospital’s dengue isolation ward and their blood samples have been sent to the National Institute of Health in Islamabad for further tests,” said the KATH doctor. KATH Medical Superintendent Dr Niaz confirmed the facility had admitted and treated nearly 84 people suspected to have dengue and most of them had recovered and left the hospital. “Only 12 patients are still under treatment, including five women and three children,” he said.
Section 144 imposed
Meanwhile, in an effort to curb the spread of dengue to other areas, the district government of Shangla imposed Section 144 in the district and banned the transportation of used tyres, keeping tyres in open air and the storage of uncovered water in markets. Shangla Deputy Commissioner Zafar Islam Khattak announced the decision in a news conference after visiting Bisham tehsil and dengue patients at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.
Khattak told the media police has been instructed to confiscate all unused tyres in which water can accumulate and become a breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito.
He further added fumigation efforts in the tehsil had been accelerated and anyone found violating the ban would be arrested. “Action would also be taken against those who do not clear puddles of stagnant or fresh water outside their houses.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2013.
Over 80 people suspected to be suffering from dengue have been admitted in King Abdullah Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Mansehra during the last one month.
Officials of the KATH said the patients were brought from Baidra, Battagram, Kohistan, Balakot, Shinkari, Darband, Bafa and other neighbouring areas between September 10 and October 13.
According to a doctor at the KATH, the admitted patients had been experiencing symptoms of dengue fever i.e. low blood platelet count, severe body ache and high fever, however, none of them had symptoms of dengue haemorrhagic fever.
“They were admitted to the hospital’s dengue isolation ward and their blood samples have been sent to the National Institute of Health in Islamabad for further tests,” said the KATH doctor. KATH Medical Superintendent Dr Niaz confirmed the facility had admitted and treated nearly 84 people suspected to have dengue and most of them had recovered and left the hospital. “Only 12 patients are still under treatment, including five women and three children,” he said.
Section 144 imposed
Meanwhile, in an effort to curb the spread of dengue to other areas, the district government of Shangla imposed Section 144 in the district and banned the transportation of used tyres, keeping tyres in open air and the storage of uncovered water in markets. Shangla Deputy Commissioner Zafar Islam Khattak announced the decision in a news conference after visiting Bisham tehsil and dengue patients at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.
Khattak told the media police has been instructed to confiscate all unused tyres in which water can accumulate and become a breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito.
He further added fumigation efforts in the tehsil had been accelerated and anyone found violating the ban would be arrested. “Action would also be taken against those who do not clear puddles of stagnant or fresh water outside their houses.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2013.