HARIPUR, Aug 30: The recent torrential rains that wreaked havoc with infrastructure and life in different parts of Haripur rendering over 3,000 families homeless and killing over two dozen villagers, have now assumed new dimension exposing the residents of most parts of the district to health problems of diverse nature and intensity.

Sources in the health department said the enteric fever or commonly known as typhoid which is also the biggest waterborne disease has gripped the villages like Makhan, Jama, Dobandi, Pharhala and surrounding areas where dozens of villagers have been visiting different private and public sector health facilities with common symptoms of high-grade fever ranging between 102-104 centigrade, vomiting and body aches.

Makhan, a river side village situated on the Chapar Road is the worst hit by the viral attack of typhoid. From this village 60 cases of high fever alone were reported during the last week and according to health department officials 35 cases of enteric fever or typhoid have been diagnosed positive while the rest are at initial stage.

Cases of stomach diseases like dysentery and malaria were also reported from these areas however conjunctivitis is the second biggest disease that has assumed the status of epidemic and continues spreading to healthy people which is due to handshake and use of common towel and the infected clothes and articles, a doctor told this correspondent.

According to health department sources the number of patients infected by pink eye virus is increasing with every passing day and fifty percent of the patients visiting OPD of the eye department are carrying the same virus.

Dr Bilal, coordinator district health information system, advised that for prevention of typhoid and other stomach related diseases the residents particularly those living in the areas already hit by such diseases must use boiled water as it was due to contamination of potable water due to leakage of pipelines or open wells. He said for prevention of conjunctivitis handshake or direct contact with the infected patients must be avoided and the towels and things used by infected people should not be used by a healthy person. He also stressed on the need of seeking advice from the doctor rather than quacks as it could further complicate the ailment.He said for prevention of contamination of water the EDO health Haripur Dr Mohammad Idrees had already sent letters to public health department authorities for carrying out repair work of the leaking pipelines.—Correspondent