CHITRAL: Salmonella Typhi bacteria was found in the sample of water obtained from the main water tank of Attani village where outbreak of extensive multi drug resistance (MDR) typhoid had been reported two weeks ago.

Scores of patients admitted to district headquarters hospital have been tested positive for the ailment.

Dr Salim Saifullah, public health coordinator, told Dawn that the tank belonged to public health engineering department while the samples of private water tanks were also sent to laboratory, which did not show the presence of the bacteria.

He said that the result of the samples taken from many water tanks in Ayun and Arandu area were being awaited as one of the patients, who tested positive, belonged to the border village Arandu as well.

Dr Salim said that 63 samples from Rumbur, Attani, Ayun and Arandu villages were taken.

The results of 38 were received from laboratory of National Institute of Health, Islamabad, of which 19 tested positive for XDR typhoid, he added.

He said that the rapid response team sent by the director-general of health services for thorough investigation of the causes completed its task and returned to Peshawar where it would submit its report.

MEETING: Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Imran Khan has asked the district heads of various departments to remain at the station during the holidays of Eidul Fitr so that prompt services can be provided to people.

Chairing a meeting of the district officers of various line departments, he said that government ordered provision of all possible facilities to people so that they could be able to celebrate Eid with peace of mind.

He said that illegal profiteering should be discouraged and violation of official fare list by transporters should not be tolerated at any cost.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioners of Upper and Lower Chitral districts have imposed ban on entry of illegal Afghan refugees in the city, display of arms, fireworks and firing in the air.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2024