Death toll due to dengue in KP rises to 10

PESHAWAR: The death toll due to dengue virus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rose to 10, while 184 people in hospitals across the province were tested positive for the disease on Saturday.

According to Dengue Response Unit, two people who were under treatment at Ayub Teaching Hospital in Abbottabad succumbed to the virus in a day, taking the count to 10.

The response unit further stated that 1,178 patients were brought to different hospitals of the province. Out of the count 184 were diagnosed with dengue virus, while 97 were admitted for treatment at different facilities.

Moreover, in Peshawar, dengue larvae have also been found near Chowk Shadi Pir after the virus becoming endemic in Tehkal, Pishtakhara and Safed Dheri.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department officials visited Karimpura near Chowk Shadi Pir, during which dengue larvae was found around tyres at a house, as per Dengue Response Unit. The health department team visited after a person was diagnosed with the virus in the area, according to the response unit.

The health department team included the deputy commissioner of Peshawar, two doctors, same number of entomologists (scientist who studies insects) and officials of Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar. 

Doctor, nurse treating dengue in Peshawar contract virus  

A doctor from the Punjab medical team treating dengue patients in Peshawar's Tehkal area has contracted the virus, sources in the Punjab Medical Health Unit said. Dr Abid has returned to his native village of Mianwali after reports showed he tested positive for dengue.

However, incharge of the medical health unit Dr Farooq Sultan has said that Abid has contracted malaria.

A nurse at the Khyber Teaching Hospital has also tested positive for dengue, sources said.

The outbreak continues to wreak havoc in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial metropolis as 69 new cases surfaced on Thursday.

According to the Punjab government's spokesperson, the medical teams working in Peshawar treated 2,062 patients and screened 595 individuals as of Tuesday. Out of 595, 175 people were diagnosed with dengue.

Health dept cautions education dept

Earlier, the KP health department had written a letter to the education department, stating that the latter can play a pivotal role in the control of the dengue outbreak.

The letter outlines measures that can be undertaken by the education department to control the spread of the mosquito-borne virus.

In the letter, students have been advised to wear full sleeves and use mosquito repellent ointments. Moreover, administrations of educational institutes have been directed to modify the morning assembly timings as the dengue mosquito attacks in that time period.

The administrations have also been directed to halt all construction activities till the outbreak is over, arrange regular awareness sessions with students and teachers, and ensure no container is left with standing water where mosquitoes could breed.

Khyber Pakhtunkuwa dengue helpline

As many as three doctors would be available 24/7 to give service to dengue patients on helpline established at Provincial Disaster Managment Authority, a notification issued by Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa Health Department had said.