Mosquito-borne virus: Another dengue patient diagnosed in Swat

MINGORA:

Another patient diagnosed with dengue fever was admitted to Saidu Teaching Hospital (STH) in Swat on Saturday, pushing the total number of dengue cases to 36.

Roshan Ali, focal person for the dengue unit at STH, confirmed the new case and identified the patient as 27-year-old Bakht Mina, a resident of Amankot.

Mina was brought to the hospital with dengue symptoms and the doctors then diagnosed her with the virus, said Ali.

According to the focal person, of the 36 patients recorded so far, 35 have been discharged after recovering completely. Mina is the only patient in the dengue unit at the moment, said Ali.

According to a medical practitioner, the fever affecting patients this year is mild. “All the patients admitted to the hospital were affected mildly and recovered immediately, which is a good sign,” said Iqbal Khan, an STH official. Larvae elimination drives are under way across affected areas.

Last year, a widespread dengue outbreak claimed as many as 37 lives, according to official figures. However, the unofficial death toll was said to be nearer to 60.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2014.