ISLAMABAD: The districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa severely affected by recent floods are witnessing a significant increase in health issues, with more than 164,000 patients having received treatment so far, confirmed Health Secretary Shahidullah on Friday.
A detailed report from the provincial Health Department indicates a rapid rise in waterborne and infectious diseases, including cholera, dengue, malaria, respiratory illnesses, and skin infections. Additionally, over 35 cases of snake and dog bites have been documented in the region.
According to the data, a total of 2,506 cholera cases have been identified across 11 districts, with 116 patients suffering from bloody diarrhea. So far, 1,112 individuals have been treated for cholera.
Lower Dir reported the highest number of cholera cases at 823, followed by Swat with 591, Buner at 319, and Bajaur at 262. Other districts with notable cases include Upper Dir (226), Battagram (154), Shangla (168), Abbottabad (3), Mansehra (39), Swabi (18), and Torghar (13).Malaria cases are also on the rise, with Shangla reporting 80 cases, Lower Dir 16, Swat 14, Torghar 11, and Upper Dir 2. Dengue has been detected in Swabi (8), Lower Dir (6), and Bajaur (1).
Skin infections have seen a sharp increase, with 172 cases in Torghar, 125 in Lower Dir, 117 in Buner, 128 in Shangla, and 83 in Battagram, along with scattered cases in Bajaur and other districts.Respiratory illnesses, including flu and cough, have affected 2,245 individuals across nine districts, with 1,413 receiving treatment. The highest numbers are reported in Lower Dir (736), Swat (703), Shangla (359), Battagram (217), and Swabi (103).Health Secretary Shahidullah told Geo News that medical teams and mobile hospitals are actively operating in flood-affected areas. Vaccines for snakebite and dog bites have also been dispatched to all districts.
He added that psychological health issues are increasing among the affected populations, and teams of psychiatrists are working on the ground to provide necessary mental health support.
