Published: February 9, 2013 The inclement weather has exacerbated the measles epidemic in Upper Dir, as fatalities have topped 65 since January.
Heavy snowfall and rain severed the roads network, leaving the Kalkot area of Kohistan disconnected from the rest of the country.
As thousands of people dealt with severe food and medical aid shortages for the seventh consecutive day, the spread of measles was compounded.
Social worker Malik Muhammad Ali told The Express Tribune that the district administration has yet to take steps to clear the area and open the Dir Kohistan Road.
“I am shocked. I told the district officials that the area has received tremendous snowfall and vaccinations must be carried out immediately but the requests had gone unnoticed,” he said.
He added that roads linked to other areas, including Dog Darra, Shaor, Biyar, Barikot and Goldai, are also closed and scores of people are stranded.
According to Ali, three children have died in Dog Dara, four in Shawor, two in Goldai and one in Barikot. He expressed fear that the death toll could increase.
The affected areas now include Shringle, Dog Darra, Gan Shal, Gowalarai, Shamtol, Bathrai, Barikot, Thal and Komrat.
“Almost every home has been hit by the deadly disease. Some people have decided to register an FIR against the district officials for their negligence,” he said.
The district administration has only carried out vaccination campaigns in four out of 13 affected areas, said Ali.
Commissioner Abid Wazir confirmed the death toll and cited the lack of resources as a major hurdle to reach the areas. At the same time, he claimed that all the link routes to the area will be reopened in the next couple of days. He denied any kind of food or medicines shortage.
According to him, illiteracy and poverty were the main factors for the high number of fatalities.
Furthermore, Wazir said that more vaccination drives cannot bear fruit unless cases are reported and swift action is taken.
He claimed that the provincial government had, in fact, formed vaccination teams to immunize every child in the region.
“I, along with the Executive District Officer (EDO) Health Wakeel Muhammad, have visited the areas and things will be controlled in the next couple of days,” he added.
Despite repeated attempts, EDO Muhammad could not be reached.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2013. http://tribune.com.pk/story/504819/toll-tops-65-epidemic-threat-gets-worse-in-upper-dir/
