KARACHI, Aug 28: The cases of severe dehydration referred to the Civil Hospital Karachi quadrupled during June and July. The trend continues, according to a press release of the hospital’s paediatrics department.

The load of diarrhoea was analysed for six months, said the press release. It was observed that in July 2,014 cases were presented at the hospital’s Diarrhoea Treatment Unit as compared to only 463 in February.

“Similarly, 380 patients required IV fluids and care as against 20 such cases in February,” stated the handout. The total number of cases seen between Jan 1 and July 31 was 7,568.

“There were 206 cases with dysentery while 171 cases required admission to the wards. “About 1,060, or 14 per cent, patients were severely malnourished too.”

The total number of deaths recorded during the period mentioned stood at 12.

Safe water, properly cooked food and proper washing of hands was essential to avoid episodes of diarrhoea, added the handout which was initialled by Prof Iqbal A. Memon.

Meanwhile in addition to the cases mentioned in the handout, in late June and early July eight fatal cases of severe diarrhoea or gastro-enteritis were reported from Landhi Town and another four from Gadap Town.

In the outbreak of gastro-enteritis which hit parts of Landhi Town in late June more than 2,000 people fell sick, mostly children and women. In the outbreak in Gadap Town in early July, on the other hand, about 500 people were involved.

The water-borne pathogens caused the two outbreaks.