Cholera outbreak in Zhob affects over 1500 people
Patients lying on beds at the beds in the district headquarters hospital Zhob: Photo provided by Asad Khan Kakar

Manan Mandokhail:

The cholera outbreak in Balochistan’s Zhob district has affected over 1500 people. Most of the patients are women, children, and aged people, Syed Muzaffar Shah, the District Health Officer (DHO) Zhob told Daily Quetta Voice. 

The health department has declared an emergency in the district to cope with the situation. Doctors and paramedics have been placed on high alert to make sure provision of timely medical treatment to the patients.

Also Read: Number of cholera patients rises to 2640 in Dera Bugti

“For 24 hours, we are receiving cholera patients”, Dr. Shah said

“For 24 hours, we are receiving cholera patients”, Dr. Shah said. He said the hospitals were facing problems because of the lack of medicines supply in the district. The district headquarters hospital Zhob has discharged most of the patients after providing them with basic health treatment.

The cholera outbreak has affected Ganj Muhalla, Kharotabad, Sheikhan, Main Bazar, and other suburbs of Zhob city. Cholera has already claimed three lives including two children and a woman in Zhob the other day.

Also Read: Cholera outbreak: Number of patients rises to 1650 in Dera Bugti

“Contaminated water, poor hygiene, and substandard food are the main reason behind the spread of cholera”, Syed Ehsan Shah, a Quetta-based senior consultant and physician said. He suggested that parents take extreme care of their children in the case of cholera. “Especially, children are vulnerable to cholera”, Dr. Shah mentioned.

Cholera already claimed human lives in Barkhan, Dera Bugti

Balochistan health department had already canceled the Eid holidays for health professionals including doctors and para-medical staff because of heavy rainfall in Quetta and other parts of the province.

The cholera outbreak in Balochistan’s Barkhan and Dera Bugti districts has claimed precious human lives earlier. Balochistan government had declared an emergency in the two districts to tackle the situation. Health experts term drinking contaminated water as the underlying reason behind the outbreak of cholera in Balochistan.

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Quetta Voice is an English Daily covering all unfolding political, economic and social issues relating to Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province in terms of area. QV's main focus is on stories related to education, promotion of quality education and publishing reports about out of school children in the province. QV has also a vigilant eye on health, climate change and other key sectors.