Seven persons, including five women, died and dozens were hospitalised here on Saturday following the outbreak of a mysterious disease in Sundhya village of Chakesar Union Council. Due to limited health care facilities in the district, the affected people were admitted to various hospitals in Swat valley.

So far, the district administration could send only a dispenser along with a helper to the area. Those who died include Umar Rahman and his sister Merokhela, Haseena (16), Saira (14), daughters of Syed Rahman, Sana, daughter of Ashbar Khan, Bibi Asma and the granddaughter of Wazar, of Dandai area.

Ibrahim, whose two family members fell victim to the disease, told 'The News' that it spread on Eid day (Wednesday). Initial reports suggest that the affected persons run high temperature with deep red eyes followed by blood vomiting.

Patients could not receive timely medical relief due to absence of proper healthcare and doctors at the Chakesar Civil Hospital, Ibrahim said, adding that two persons died while being shifted to Mingora. Union Council Nazim Bakht Alam said no medical team had arrived in the area.

An official of the executive district officer (health) office said a two-member team, headed by Kamal Zada, a dispenser, was sent to the affected area. "The EDO is currently on leave, but has been informed of the situation."

Member National Assembly Amir Muqam, elected from the area, urged the provincial and federal governments to take measures to save precious lives.

Our correspondent from Mingora adds: Military officials handed over medicines in huge quantity to Saidu Sharif Hospital Medical Superintendent Muhammad Khan, as around 1,500 people were affected by gastroenteritis and the hospital was packed with patients of the water-borne disease.

In a press statement issued here at the media information centre, officials of the Pakistan Army also promised to provide financial assistance to hospital administration to help them tackle the situation after the outbreak of gastro and other water-borne diseases in the area.

The officials of the Medical Corps of the Pakistan Army are also giving technical support to the hospital as it lacks the staff to deal with the influx of the gastro patients in the last four days.