MULTAN, July 27: About 2,100 patients of gastroenteritis have been admitted to Nishtar Hospital’s emergency ward ever since it broke out in mid-June in the city.

Deputy Medical Superintendent (DMS) Dr Ali Mahdi told this agency on Wednesday that hot and humid weather still persisted as a result the disease had not been totally controlled as yet.

He said during the last 24 hours, 62 new patients of gastroenteritis were admitted to the emergency ward.

He said high temperature and extreme humidity led to excessive sweating due to which the affected person suffered from dehydration.

Dr Ali Mahdi said intake of cold beverages, including “Lassi” and lemon “Sherbet”, helped save one from dehydration, which led to diarrhoea and vomiting. This is usually identified as gastroenteritis.

He advised the people to use boiled chilled water and clean their hands with soap before taking edibles.

To a question, he said a healthy person could have this trouble if he or she did not take precautionary measures and consequently the virus or bacteria was transferred to him from a patient.—APP