By: Salman Yousafzai
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department on Sunday reported the first death of a patient due to dengue infection in the Mardan district.
According to a report from the health department, 30-year-old Adnan, a resident of Sharifabad, was infected with the dengue virus on September 30. After experiencing symptoms such as fever, body aches, and pain in his eyes, he was taken to the hospital, where tests confirmed the presence of the dengue virus, and his platelet count was found to be 45,000.
Adnan was admitted to Mardan Medical Complex for treatment. Although his condition initially improved, he chose to leave the hospital against medical advice. The following day, his health deteriorated, and he was brought back to the hospital, but unfortunately died on October 4 due to a further decrease in platelet count and dengue shock syndrome.
According to the District Health Officer (DHO) of Mardan, a four-member investigation team has been formed to determine the causes behind the death. In response to the outbreak, the health department has initiated a dengue prevention campaign in Sharifabad, which includes door-to-door awareness efforts, announcements by mosque imams, cleaning of drainage systems, removal of debris, and elimination of mosquito larvae. The DHO emphasised that public cooperation is essential in countering the spread of dengue. Citizens are encouraged to eliminate standing water in and around their homes to prevent mosquito breeding.
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