LOWER DIR: A mysterious fever has triggered serious concern in the remote and underdeveloped areas of Adenzai tehsil in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lower Dir district, claiming the lives of 10 people, including women and children, over the past two weeks.
Dozens of patients suffering from the illness have reportedly been shifted to major hospitals in Peshawar and Swat after their condition deteriorated.
According to local sources and residents, cases have been reported in villages including Breamki, Shadam and Shorshing in Union Councils Asbanr and Khaniur.
Residents said patients affected by the mysterious illness experience severe breathing difficulties, while their white blood cell counts reportedly drop rapidly. Among those who have died are four women, three children and two young men.
Local residents have expressed concern over the situation, claiming that a similar illness emerges in the area around this time every year. They have also raised concerns over what they described as a lack of preventive and long-term measures by the health department and district administration.
Health Department’s Response
District Health Officer (DHO) Lower Dir confirmed that two young men had been diagnosed with meningitis and admitted to hospitals in Peshawar.
In view of the situation, health department teams from Peshawar and Lower Dir visited the affected areas to assess the situation and investigate the reported cases.
According to the DHO, preliminary findings suggest that the illness is a febrile disease, with the possibility that it may be transmitted from animals to humans.
As a precautionary measure, spraying has been carried out in the affected areas to control malaria and dengue. A joint team comprising officials from the Health Department and the Livestock Department has also been formed.
Free Medical Camps Set Up
Meanwhile, on the special directives of Deputy Commissioner Basharat Ahmed, the Lower Dir Health Department established free medical camps in the affected areas.
Hundreds of people have been examined at the camps, while blood samples have also been collected for laboratory testing.
Officials said the samples are being analysed to determine the exact nature and cause of the illness.
