PESHAWAR: Health authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa claim to have controlled the rising cases of communicable diseases, especially scabies and eye infections, in the flood-hit districts and urged residents to adopt preventive measures against the dengue hemorrhagic fever.

The incidence of contagious diseases surged following floods but most of them recorded a decline on Saturday, according to are port released by the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System of the public health section at the directorate-general (health services).

It said cases of acute respiratory infections came down from 1140 on Friday to 999 on Saturday, while the incidence of scabies declined from 292 on Friday to 609 in the next 24 hours.

The report said 221,752 cases of malaria, eye infections, snake and dog bites, blood issues, acute diarrhea and leishmaniasis were reported in11 flood-hit districts, with5,111 witnessed in the last 24 hours.

Health officials claimed their steps for the prevention of dengue fever had paid off as the mosquito-borne disease was under control.

They said there were fears about dengue surge after flooding but that didn’t happen due to large-scale awareness campaigns by lady health workers.

Meanwhile, the province has recorded 398 dengue cases after the flood disaster, with 82 being reported in the last 24 hours, according to a separate report of the health department.

It said there were 90 active dengue cases as 308 had recovered from the vector-borne disease.

According to the report, around 400 cases were reported in a few union councils of Charsadda district but the situation is now under control, with most patients recovered.

It said lady health workers and other health officials continued with preventive activities against infections besides creating public awareness.

Meanwhile, the health department said in a statement that there was no outbreak of diseases in the flood-hit districts.

It said at present, 44 patients were under treatment at Charsadda’s district headquarters hospital, Nowshera’s Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex and Mansehra’s King Abdullah Teaching Hospital.

When contacted, DG (health services) Dr Shahid Yunis said the post-flooding healthcare situation in the province was being closely monitored, with comprehensive surveillance and treatment protocols already in place.

He said people should adopt preventive measures against diseases for the sake of their own health.

“People should avoid stagnant water, use mosquito nets and seek medical attention in case of fever or other symptoms of diseases,” he said.

Dr Yunis said the health directorate was actively coordinating with authorities in districts to ensure timely treatment of people.

He said bed nets and essential medicines had already been dispatched to the calamity-hit areas.

“There’s no need to panic. Our staff members are actively working in all districts, ensuring disease control. The fear about disease outbreaks is no longer there due to our coordinated efforts,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2025