Gastrointestinal Illnesses Rise in Bakhshali as Health Officials Probe Contaminated Water
MARDAN: Health authorities have launched an emergency investigation after a rise in cases of diarrhea, dysentery, vomiting, fever and other gastrointestinal illnesses was reported in Bagh-e-Iram, Bakhshali.
A team from the Public Health Section of the Health Department visited the affected area to assess the situation and identify possible causes of the illnesses.
According to Dr. Rubina, head of the Health Department team, several patients from the affected area are currently receiving treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital, while approximately 15 to 20 patients are undergoing treatment at Mardan Medical Complex.
An initial assessment suggested that contaminated drinking water, inadequate drainage and poor sanitation could be among the primary causes behind the spread of the illnesses.
Health officials collected water samples from the local tube well as well as several households. The samples have been sent to the Peshawar Reference Laboratory for further analysis to determine whether the water is contaminated.
The Public Health Department has urged residents to take precautionary measures and advised them to drink only boiled water until further notice.
Residents have also been advised to temporarily avoid using water stored in household tanks and water supplied through motor pumps as health authorities continue their investigation.
Officials said a major health camp is expected to be established in the affected area within the next one or two days. Specialist doctors, female doctors and other medical specialists will examine patients free of charge and provide necessary medicines.
In addition, health workers will conduct daily household visits to collect information about patients, provide medical guidance and raise awareness among residents about preventive measures.
Health authorities are awaiting the results of the water samples to determine the extent of contamination and guide further measures to contain the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses in the area.