PESHAWAR: The local administration and the health department, with the collaboration of World Health Organisation (WHO), have carried out tests of the drinking water in Peshawar. Around 23 samples of drinking water that were collected by the experts were confirmed to carry dengue virus in them.
Later, in a high-level meeting, the Peshawar deputy commissioner (DC) has directed the high-ups from Water Supply and Sanitation Department to realise their responsibilities in this respect. Similarly, the meeting also discussed the measures for handling the situation.
Earlier on Tuesday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak, along with a number of provincial ministers and other high ranking officers, visited Tahkal area of Peshawar. The CM extended sympathies to the relatives of a woman who died due to the disease, a couple of days back. He also issued instructions to the concerned authorities for early handling of the matter.
The CM has however said that dengue is a humanitarian issue and there is no justification for its politicisation.
The authorities also confirmed the admission of several suspected dengue patients in hospitals. The doctors at the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) informed of receiving 242 patients whereas 30, including eight women, were admitted to Peshawar Lady Reading Hospital (LRH). So far, the number of total estimated dengue patients is believed to be above 1,000.
Besides Peshawar, dengue cases have also been reported from Mardan, Buner and Swabi.
According to reports, two patients have died in Mardan and Buner districts.
