MARDAN/NOWSHERA: One person tested positive for dengue in Mardan and another in Nowshera district on Tuesday.

Dr Javed Iqbal of the Mardan Medical Complex Teaching Hospital told Dawn that the dengue patients being treated at the hospital totaled five after the admission of Bilal, a resident of Takht Bhai tehsil, who was diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease.

He said the hospital was capable of handling any dengue-related emergency and had established a special 12-bedded anti-dengue ward with necessary staff, medicines, blood bags and lab facilities on its disposal.

Dr Javed said the visitors were provided with free dengue tests and treatment.

In Nowshera, the first dengue case was reported in Badrashi village on the outskirts of the cantonment area.

The health department officials said Mohammad Asim, 18, had tested positive for dengue.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner Sikandar Zeeshan directed the top bosses of all basic health units, rural health centres, Mian Rashid Shaheed Hospital, Pabbi and District Headquarters Hospital to take immediate steps after arrival of dengue cases.

District health officer Arshad Khan insisted that the department was capable of control dengue and was taking all necessary measures for the purpose.

Also in the day, the tehsil council formed special committees to ensure fumigation in their respective areas to kill larvicides. The development came during an emergency meeting.

Assistant additional commissioner Jamshed Khan visited hospitals and examined facilities for dengue diagnosis and treatment. He asked the administration to increase public awareness of the anti-dengue ways and means.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2017