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Express Tribune
19-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Congo virus claims three lives in K-P
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Adviser Ehtesham Ali has confirmed that three individuals have died from the Congo virus so far in the province, while one patient currently undergoing treatment at the hospital has tested positive. Additionally, six suspected patients are admitted and are undergoing diagnostic procedures. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives due to the Congo virus at Hayatabad Medical Complex. According to the adviser, two of the deceased patients - both from Karak district - succumbed to the virus last night, while a third, hailing from North Waziristan, passed away on June 16. He attributed the recent outbreak to the lack of precautionary measures during Eid celebrations as animal markets had been established across the province. Ehtesham Ali appealed to the public to strictly follow the health department's guidelines for Congo virus prevention and to exercise caution when handling livestock to avert further loss of life. He further informed that the Department of Health has activated its Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system to monitor and respond to Congo virus cases promptly. District Health Officers (DHOs) in the affected areas have been notified, and contact tracing along with sanitization efforts are underway at the homes of the deceased to prevent the virus from spreading. It may be recalled that last week, two patients affected by the Congo virus were admitted to HMC in Peshawar with their condition reported to be out of danger initially. According to the hospital spokesperson, 28-year-old Aijaz from Karak was brought to the hospital in critical condition on June 14. Another 23-year-old patient, Safiyan, also from Karak, was admitted on June 15. After receiving medical treatment, both patients are now stable and no longer in critical condition, he claimed. The spokesperson added that both affected individuals work in animal care. In April, Pakistan's National Institute of Health (NIH) issued public health advisories regarding the risks of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) .
Express Tribune
08-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Gastro outbreak hits various K-P districts
The outbreak of gastroenteritis on an epidemic scale has been recorded in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), with 19,534 cases reported from hospitals across the province in just 14 days. The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response report of the K-P Health Department indicates that cases of gastroenteritis have been reported in various hospitals between February 24 and March 2. Out of 2,082 hospitals and medical centres in the province, 1,826 have reported gastro cases. According to the report, the highest number of infected cases were reported from Peshawar with 2,591. Similarly, 1,913 cases have been reported from Charsadda, 1,369 from Swat, 120 from DI Khan, 1,086 from Nowshera, and 1,012 from Lower Dir. Moreover, 8,367 cases of respiratory diseases were recorded across the province. Approximately 3,845 people were affected by mosquito- and fly-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and leishmaniasis. The report also documented 722 cases of zoonotic diseases, 16 cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and 645 cases of vaccine-preventable diseases. Last year in July, a spike in the cases of gastroenteritis and diarrhea was reported due to severe heatwaves and humidity across K-P. Official sources told The Express Tribune that most patients in hospital emergency departments had been found to be suffering from gastroenteritis and diarrhea. In various hospitals across the province, 25,996 cases have been reported in a week, many of them also suffering from severe dysentery. According to the health department, most of the gastroenteritis and diarrhea cases have been reported from Dir Lower, Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and DI Khan. These areas are in the grip of heatwaves, and prolonged load-shedding has added to the woes of the locals. According to last week's report from the provincial health department, the highest number of affected cases has emerged from Peshawar. 3,282 affected individuals have been brought to hospitals and medical centres in Peshawar for treatment. An official said figures from major hospitals had not been included and the emergency wards of those hospitals were brimming with such patients. Due to the lack of space in some hospitals' medical wards, patients are being accommodated in other wards where many have complained about the lack of attention from medical staff.
