KARAK, Oct 27: Four children have died of diphtheria here in Takht Nusrati tehsil and dozens others have been affected by the disease, sources in the health department told Dawn on Wednesday.

They said that union councils Shanwa Guddikhel and Mianki were the most affected areas where dozens of children had been affected by the disease.

The four children who have died of diphtheria recently have been identified as Nazia Bibi, Karishma Bibi, residents of Naghriwala and Shanwa Guddikhel, and Mushahid Islam and Asadullah of Banjakh Banda. The sources said that several children afflicted by the disease had been shifted to Peshawar for treatment.

They said that surge in the incidence of disease had been noted after Eidul Fitr in the remote areas of Takht Nusrati. When contacted, Dr Shoaib of district headquarters hospital said that a diphtheria patient suffered from high fever, body pain and difficulty in respiratory system. He said that prevalence of this disease was mostly noted in areas where the air remained humid. He said that the air of Takht Nusrati was not so humid, but there was possibility that the children might not have gotten proper vaccine on time.

ENT specialist Dr Rafique said that there could be death, deafness and tongue twisting in this disease. The sources said that the health department was trying to educate local people about the symptoms of the disease so that they could make sure immediate treatment of their children.

Local politicians and people have demanded of the provincial government to send special teams of doctors to the area to cope with the disease.

GIRL RECOVERED: Police on Wednesday recovered a girl kidnapped about three months ago and also arrested the alleged kidnapper.

Police said that on a tip-off they arrested a proclaimed offender Zareen Janan from his hideout in Banda Daud Shah. Following interrogation of Janan, police recovered the kidnapped girl from his hideout.

The DPO awarded cash prizes and commendation certificates to the police party which took part in the raid.