PESHAWAR, Aug 01 (APP):A field visit by a team of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Strategy (IDSRS) to Dir Lower for investigating causes of cholera case among students of a religious seminary has found one confirmed and seven suspected cases. The inspection visit held at union council Khall in Dir Lower confirmed serious water-safety, sanitation, food-hygiene and environmental deficiencies at the concerned madrassa. “These conditions create a credible pathway for …
IDSRS finds one confirmed, seven suspected cases of cholera in Low Dir
PESHAWAR, Aug 01 (APP):A field visit by a team of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Strategy (IDSRS) to Dir Lower for investigating causes of cholera case among students of a religious seminary has found one confirmed and seven suspected cases.
The inspection visit held at union council Khall in Dir Lower confirmed serious water-safety, sanitation, food-hygiene and environmental deficiencies at the concerned madrassa.
“These conditions create a credible pathway for faecal-oral transmission and justify immediate control measures,” says Dr. Muhammad Gul Sartaj, Provincial Surveillance Officer IDSRS who led the team.
On the direction of DG Health Services and Program Manager, Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System (IDSRS), a field visit was conducted to Union Council Khal, District Lower Dir in July 2026 to support investigation and response following confirmation of one cholera case.
The visit was aimed to support district authorities in characterizing the event, identifying possible sources and modes of transmission, assessing ongoing public-health risk and implementing immediate measures to prevent additional cases, Dr. Sartaj added.
The team reviewed the epidemiological situation, surveillance and reporting, laboratory confirmation, active case search, specimen referral, risk communication, community engagement, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
The environmental assessment at the concerned madrassa identified multiple conditions capable of facilitating faecal contamination and waterborne transmission.
These conditions included a riverside well exposed to monsoon flooding risk, broken, leaking and repeatedly joined plastic supply pipes, an uncovered and reportedly poorly maintained concrete water storage tank, sanitation hazards adjacent to the tank, unhygienic kitchen conditions and unmanaged solid waste and standing water in the backyard.
Immediate health counselling was provided to madrassa leadership, teachers and children besides collecting a water sample from the storage tank for laboratory testing.
The IDSRS team briefed District Health Officer (DHO) on urgent control measures, including interruption of the suspected water supply, provision of safe water, strengthened surveillance, engineering assessment and rehabilitation of the water system, environmental sanitation and establishment of accessible oral rehydration points.
The team also reviewed the outbreak situation and response activities with the DHO and district outbreak response team.
The administration and students were advised to use only boiled, adequately chlorinated or otherwise verified safe water for drinking, cooking, making ice and brushing teeth.
They were also told to store treated water in clean, covered, narrow-necked containers; pour it or use a tap rather than dipping hands or cups into it. Wash hands with soap after using or cleaning a toilet and before preparing, serving or eating food.
Clean the kitchen thoroughly and remove algae, mould, food residue, debris and standing water. Keep utensils, food and drinking cups clean, dry and covered.
Conduct scheduled sanitary inspections and tank cleaning instead of waiting for another outbreak. Teach children safe water use, handwashing, food hygiene, ORS preparation and danger signs requiring prompt care.
The team recommended immediate action for district health authorities to immediately notify and investigate every suspected acute watery diarrhoea case, update the line list daily, report through IDSRS, collect stool specimens from selected early and provide adequate chlorinated or otherwise verified safe water to maddrassa.
Dr. Sartaj said if recommended measures were taken the situation would be controlled and further spread of cholera in the area would be prevented.
