'Mystery disease' claims 12 lives near Rahim Yar Khan
12 people from Laghari clan die of ‘unknown disease’
RAHIM YAR KHAN (Web Desk) – Twelve people died due to a mysterious disease at Basti Leghari village of Tajpur Pirwala near Rahim Yar Khan.
The doctors said the deaths were due ot brain inflammation as per initial information.
Distrct Health Autority Chief Executive Officer Dr Hassan Khan confirmed the tragedy and said the report of investigation would be published soon. Also, Kamal Khan Laghari - a relative of the victims - revealed that the ‘unknown disease’ was first reported 14 days ago. He said low fever was found in nine-year-old Salma Bibi and 10-year-old Umaira. After a short time, the fever became worse with severe pain also and they both died after two days.
Later, Mr Khan added, 10 more people from the same tribe were admitted to the Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Shaikh Zayed Medical College Hospital (SZMCH) and Alkhalid Hospital.
‘Meningoencephalitis’
SZMCH Principal Prof Dr Muhammad Saleem Laghari said a committee had been formed comprising a physician, a paediatrician and a community medicine expert to probe the matter and submit a report within seven days. He added that initial investigation suggested the victims had acute viral meningoencephalitis, but something concrete could be said after the probe.
Meningoencephalitis is an inflammation of the brain.
