RAHIM YAR KHAN: Different animal bacteria were found in the patients affected by an unidentified disease during the examinations of different specimens and samples taken for pathological tests, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Liaqat Ali Chohan told Primary and Secondary Health Care (P&SHC) department secretary during the latter’s visit to Basti Behram Leghari on Monday.

On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and provincial health minister Dr Akhtar Malik, P&SHC Secretary Muhammad Iqbal visited the village and met with the members of the affected families, condoled the death of their near and dear ones and expressed his sympathies for them.

During the visit, District Health Authority (DHA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Hassan Khan briefed the secretary about the medical camp and other facilities provided to the locals.

According to Dr Chohan, samples of nasal and throat swabs of 25 locals showing symptoms of disease were examined at the Sheikh Zayed Medical College College and Hospital (SZMCH) laboratory, where two of them found with different animal-related organisms.

One of them, Khadija, was found with Ersipelothrix Rhusiopathiae, and Naz had beeran 20 Streptococcus Alactolyticus in her specimens. Another patient, Khadeeja (2), Streptococcus Pneumonia was found.

After these findings, DHA dispatched samples and specimens of animals, water and food items of the affected people to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad and other departments concerned, following health department’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Mr Iqbal said there were no evidence in the analytical reports that the deceased persons were poisoned, adding that people should avoid spreading such rumours. He said the recommendations for the financial help of the affected families would be sent to the the government.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2023