Rising cholera cases in Balkh fuels concerns

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The Public Health Department says thousands of people have been infected with cholera in the northern provinces, including Balkh.

Dr. Ghausuddin Anwari, director of the Balkh Zonal Hospital, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the symptoms of this disease included acute diarrhea and vomiting.

Anwari said one principal reason behind the disease was drinking contaminated water and that it was communicable from one person to another.

He added thousands of people were suffering from contagious disease in northern provinces. such as Balkh, Samangan, Jawzjan and Faryab.

Mohammad Ishaq, who had come to the hospital from Dara-i-Sauf district of Samangan, said his that mother was infected with cholera three days ago. Currently, she is admitted to the hospital.

According to him, they do not have access to potable water in their area and that is why his mother was infected.

Hayatullah, a resident of Chahar Bolak district of Balkh, said he had caught cholera because of lack of access to clean drinking water.

Meanwhile, doctors expressed grave concern over the surge in cholera cases. Dr. Khairullah, in charge of the cholera ward, said more than 20 cholera patients had been hospitalised and the number was rising.

He said about 100 beds had been specified for cholera patients and treatment facilities were available for about 500 patients.

sa/mud

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