LAHORE: 789 persons died of cholera in the Punjab during the two and a half months ending August 31, stated the Director of Public Health, Punjab, Dr. H. Butt, addressing a press conference at the Secretariat today [Sept 2]. Mr. Kennedy, Chief of the Lahore Corporation who was also present narrated the measures that were being adopted in Lahore to combat the epidemic.

The worst districts to suffer since the outbreak of cholera are Hissar, Lahore and Rawalpindi, with 142, 114 and 113 deaths respectively.

Explaining how the disease had spread in the province Dr. Butt stated that the first case of cholera was imported from Delhi. He added that cholera had affected in varying degrees 21 out of the 29 districts of the Province at present. He expressed the view that the epidemic had now been checked. The Director of Public Health stated that nearly ten lakhs people had been inoculated so far against cholera in the Province. There would be no shortage of the anti-cholera vaccine. He said that as a special measure “spraying squads” in the infected areas of Lahore would be employed. He concluded [with] an appeal to the public to assist the Public Health Department by their co-operation. (Dawn, Delhi)

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2014