MINGORA: Another dengue case was detected on Tuesday at Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Swat, bringing the number of dengue patients during this season to 19 in Mingora city.

Owing to fear about the possible outbreak of dengue epidemic the district administration had expedited the awareness activities to prevent dengue virus from spreading.

According to the hospital sources, 45-year-old Sham Wa Saher, wife of Shah Wazir and resident of Amankot, Mingora, was tested positive for dengue fever. Sources said that after the new case the number of dengue patients had reached 19. They said that 11 of them had been discharged from the hospital after completion of their treatment.

Swat DC asks residents to take preventive measures

The district administration has meanwhile expedited the awareness aimed at preventing spread of dengue disease in the district, particularly in the nine sensitive union councils of Mingora city.

Swat deputy commissioner Mahmood Aslam Wazir on Tuesday visited a mosque in Skha Cheena locality of Amankot from where most of the dengue cases were reported. He held an awareness session with the residents on eliminating dengue virus. He asked the residents not to allow stagnant water around their houses, adding that dengue larva could be eliminated with their support.

Also in the day, the local administration held an orientation meeting with dengue team of Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) regarding dengue prevention project.

Swat assistant commissioner Ashfaq Khan told Dawn that the PRCS team also included dengue vector surveillance officers and health promoters. He said that it was decided that the team would carry out its activities from coming Monday and cover three high risk union councils in Mingora city. He said that the team would start its activities from Skha Cheena area.

MAN KILLED: A man reportedly charged with a kidnapping of married woman was killed in Dureshkhela area of Matta, Swat, on Tuesday.

According to a local police official, Naik Zada was allegedly killed by Umar Sahib, Umar Zada and Mohammad Laiq.

“He was charged with the kidnapping of wife of one of the alleged attackers, Umar Sahib, on May 22, 2014,” the official said and added that Naik Zada was a proclaimed offender in the same case.

Police registered an FIR against the accused persons and have arrested Umar Sahib and Mohammad Laiq, father of the woman.

Meanwhile, an unidentified body was recovered from Swat River at Engarodheri area of Mingora.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2014