SHANGLA: A local lawmaker claimed on Saturday that chikungunya virus had broken out in Maira area of Bisham tehsil, where 150 patients had been diagnosed with the disease, while another 500 were suspected to have contracted the ailment.

Talking to reporters, MPA from PK-87, Shangla-I, Mohammad Rashad Khan said he had requested commissioner Malakand for taking effective measures against the disease. He said almost every household in Maira, Batkoot and Dandai areas had a patient of chikungunya.

He said medical teams had visited the area on Saturday and diagnosed over 150 patients with chikungunya and provided them with the treatment.

Dr Wajid Ali, coordinator for Extended Programme on Immunisation, said the disease was similar to dengue as the patients could have high grade fever, body rash, severe joint pain, especially in lower limbs, and tenderness of knee joints.

He said the disease was firstly reported in Karachi and then in some areas of Mansehra.

The EPI official called for investigating such patients also for dengue and Zika virus, and said the district headquarters hospital didn’t have the wherewithal to carry out the tests.

He said the government should take practical measures for control of such outbreaks by fumigating, ensuring clean drinking water to residents, and providing people with the mosquito repellents and nets.

When contacted, deputy district health officer Shaukat Saleem told Dawn that medical teams along with medicines had been dispatched to the affected areas of Bisham tehsil.

He said fumigation and other precautionary measures were also being taken.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2017