Seven die in four days amid fever-related illnesses in Lower Dir

Seven people, including five children and two women, have died in four days in mountainous areas of Lower Dir

LOWER DIR: Seven people, including five children and two women, have died in four days in mountainous areas of Lower Dir following reports of fever-related illnesses, according to local residents.

Residents of the affected areas said the deaths were reported in Bermake, Bochkey and Shadam, where concerns have grown over what they described as a recurring and unexplained illness.

According to local residents, deaths linked to a mysterious outbreak have reportedly occurred in the area every year during September. They said the recent fatalities had raised concerns among communities living in the mountainous region, particularly because several of those who died were children.

Health authorities, however, have not yet confirmed a single cause for all seven deaths. District Health Officer (DHO) officials said samples had been collected from the affected areas and laboratory reports were awaited before a definitive conclusion could be reached.

The DHO said two young men from the affected areas were currently receiving treatment in Peshawar after being diagnosed with meningitis. The officials did not link all of the reported deaths to meningitis and said further investigation was required.

According to the DHO, two children who died in Bermake were newborns. The official also said one of the women who died was suffering from tuberculosis.

The health authorities’ statements indicate that the reported deaths may involve different medical conditions, while investigations are continuing to establish whether the cases are connected to a common infectious disease or environmental factor.

Residents have expressed concern over the recurring nature of illnesses in the mountainous communities and called for greater attention from health authorities. They said timely medical assistance and preventive measures were needed to protect residents, particularly children and vulnerable people.

The DHO said health teams had already collected samples from the affected areas for laboratory analysis. The reports are expected to help authorities determine the nature of the illness and establish whether a specific infectious disease is responsible for the recent cases.

Preventive measures have also been initiated in the affected areas. According to the DHO, spraying operations have been carried out to control dengue and malaria and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

A joint investigation team comprising representatives from the health, livestock and public health departments has also been constituted to investigate the situation.

The team is expected to examine the reported cases, assess possible causes and coordinate preventive measures in the affected communities. Authorities are also expected to monitor the health situation while laboratory results are awaited.

The deaths have drawn attention to healthcare challenges in remote mountainous areas, where access to medical facilities can be more difficult than in urban centres. The ongoing investigation will determine whether the cases are linked to a common outbreak or are the result of separate health conditions.

Until the laboratory reports are received, health authorities have not confirmed that the seven deaths were caused by a single disease or outbreak. Officials have urged continued monitoring and are carrying out preventive measures in the affected areas.

Further information is expected once the samples collected from Bermake, Bochkey and Shadam are analysed and the investigation team completes its assessment.