MARDAN, Oct 13: Concerned over the growing number of hepatitis patients in the city, medical experts have asked the people to take preventive measures.

“We are making desperate efforts to control hepatitis C in the city as its prevalence is alarmingly high,” said Dr Shah Nam, Medical Superintendent of Mardan’s District Headquarters Hospital at a meeting with the district nazim and a team of doctors here on Thursday.

Dr Shah Nam said that 220 patients had been found to be carrying the virus.

“There are four factors behind the rapid spread of hepatitis C cases in the district. They are reuse of syringes, unclean water, transfusion of blood without adopting precautions, and dental treatment by private clinics,” he said.

He said that ha had specially deputed a doctor at the DHQ Hospital just for collecting used syringes and dumping them.

The DHQ Hospital was providing free treatment to the hepatitis C patients despite its meager resources.