LAKKI MARWAT: The health department held a screening camp in Darra Pezu town here on Sunday after reports about a spike in malaria cases. Local elders had informed the health authorities about the spread of mosquito-borne disease in the town, stressing the need for prompt measures to contain the ailment. District health officer Dr Abdugul immediately sent a team to the area located on the border with DI Khan and Tank districts. District health office’s focal person for malaria Abdul Aziz Khan and medical entomologist Jameel Khan said the health staffers set up a camp at the hujra of a local elder, and also made announcements from mosque loudspeakers informing people to visit the medical camp. They said over 40 suspected patients were screened, of whom only four tested positive. “The affected patients were provided with anti-malarial drugs while those suffering from other ailments were also given free medicines,” they claimed. District also records another dengue case, taking tally to seven this month The officials said health workers also carried out fumigation in the entire town to eliminate mosquitoes and control malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. Meanwhile, dengue cases are increasing with every passing day in Lakki Marwat as a new case emerged in Ghaznikhel town, taking the tally to seven during the ongoing month. The affected patient, identified as Faheemullah, 24, is an employee of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, who arrived in the town from Islamabad. Medical entomologist Jameel Khan told Dawn that the District Headquarters Hospital reported the fresh dengue case to the district health office, when Faheemullah with fever and body ache symptoms visited the facility. He said hospital staffers collected blood samples from the patient and the laboratory examination revealed he carried the dengue virus. The official said health experts immediately reached the town, conducted anti-dengue spray inside the house of the affected patient and screened his other family members. He said Faheem and other inmates were also given mosquito nets. BORDER CLOSURE: Fruit and vegetable traders of Bannu district have expressed concern over the closure of Ghulam Khan border crossing in North Waziristan district. Talking to reporters in Bannu on Sunday, the fruit and vegetable traders’ association president Imran Durrani, chairman Hukamzad Khan, vice-presidents Murad Ali and Mukhtiar Khan and general secretary Farrukh Siar said minor clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan forces a few days ago resulted in the closure of border. They said vehicles loaded with goods, especially fruits and vegetables, had been stranded on both sides of the border for last several days. In a separate development, residents of Kakkakhel area of Lakki Marwat forced armed robbers to flee after exchange of fire here late Friday night. After hearing gunshots, area elders found out that some armed men were present on Kakkakhel-Matora Road to loot the passenger vehicles. Announcements were made from mosque loudspeakers and a good number of villagers armed with weapons came out and rushed towards the spot. A police official, Ayaz Khan, said the villagers chased the bandits and during exchange of fire, the culprits managed to escape in the dark.