LAKKI MARWAT: Three dengue cases have surfaced in the Lakki Marwat district during the ongoing month, prompting the health authorities to reach the affected areas to implement the case response mechanism.

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Mohammad Jameel Khan, an entomologist at the district health office, said three patients with fever and body ache visited the health facilities, where they tested positive for dengue virus.

He said Nizamuddin, 15, Rehmatullah, 42, and Faridullah, 27, had a travel history. “Nizamuddin, a seminary student, reached his native Wanda Amir area from Islamabad,” he added.

“Rehmatullah hailing from Titterkhel area is a driver, who arrived in his village from Peshawar. He was diagnosed with dengue after his blood test was conducted at the District Headquarters Hospital, Tajazai.”

Mr Jameel said a third case was reported from Tajazai area when Fariddullah, an electrician, who lived in Islamabad tested positive for dengue.

The official said district health officer Dr Abdugul had directed the subordinate officials to implement the case response mechanism in letter and spirit.

He said the health department conducted anti-dengue spray inside the houses of the patients and also provided the inmates with insecticide treated nets.

The official said fumigation and larvae eradication activity was also carried out in the rural localities. He said health experts also conducted screening of the family members of the dengue patients.

PROTEST: The brick kilns owners’ association on Sunday demonstrated in Bannu against the alleged pressure by the environment department to install zigzag technology in their kilns.

The protesters gathered in front of the press club.

The association’s president Haji Mubarak Din and general secretary Haji Zafar Ali Khan said brick kilns provided the local people with employment opportunities.

They said the installation of the zigzag technology in brick kilns was not affordable to them, asking the environment department to withdraw the decision.

They rejected the allegation that they burnt rubber in brick kilns and warned of coming onto roads if the government forced them to install the new technology.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2024