LAKKI MARWAT: The first dengue case, detected two days ago in the district, has alarmed the health department, prompting it to launch fumigation and awareness campaign in Titterkhel locality of Lakki Marwat.

Abdul Khaliq,21, was tested positive for dengue fever in Titterkhel village.

He was admitted to the isolation ward at the district headquarters hospital in Tajazai.

Dr Kifayat Bettanni, a medical officer at the hospital, told this correspondent that Abdul Khaliq was brought to the hospital on September 10 and he was tested positive for dengue fever after blood screening.

He said that the patient suffering from fever remained under treatment for seven days in Karachi and then he was shifted to his hometown Titterkhel. He said that the platelet count of the patients was then 96,000 and his condition was stable.

“The patient is under observation at the isolation ward,” said Dr Kifayat.

Meanwhile, District Health Officer Dr Abdugul said that a team was sent to Titterkhel to conduct screening of the family members of the patient and eliminate the larva.

“The family members of the patient, his neighbours and residents of the locality were sensitised about dengue preventive measures and health education tips,” he said. He said that insecticide-treated bed nets were also distributed among the residents of the area.

POLIO: Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kabir Afridi has stressed the need for focusing on finding solution to parents’ refusal to vaccinate their children against polio.

He was speaking at a meeting of district polio eradication committee here on Tuesday.

A health official briefed the meeting on the previous campaign and preparations for the upcoming drive, commencing from September 24.

He said that 699 mobile, 47 fixed, 27 transit and nine roaming teams would take part in the drive.

The deputy commissioner directed the officials to carry out mapping of the localities from where refusal cases were being reported in each campaign.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2018