Diarrhoea outbreak in Giaspura: 9 admitted, 56 children among 105 cases

Nine patients suffering from diarrhoea, including a nine-year-old girl, were admitted to the Lord Mahavira civil hospital on Friday. There are reports that they allegedly consumed contaminated water being supplied by the municipal corporation. A total of 56 children are among the 105 cases that have surfaced in Makkar Colony and Samrat Colony, adjoining Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar in Giaspura.

Among the patients admitted are nine-year-old Nandini, 13-year-old Om Parkash, 16-year-old Manisha, 19-year-old Rahul, 20-year-old Suraj and four others.

Till afternoon, 10 moderate cases and 70 mild cases were reported. Sources said some more mild cases were reported later in the day.

District epidemiologist Dr Ramesh Bhagat confirmed the outbreak. He added that there was no confirmed case of gastroenteritis. The health team examined 86 patients at a medical camp organised at Vikas Public School in Makkar Colony.

Most patients complained of vomiting. Residents from Makkar Colony claimed that they often got contaminated water. A majority of them are poor migrant labourers who are forced to live in unhygienic conditions owing to the civic body’s apathy.

Rani, a resident of Makkar Colony, said, “I noticed yellowish water being pumped to our houses two days ago, but had no idea that an outbreak will happen. We want the authorities to ensure clean water supply to our houses.”

Health supervisor Dalbir Singh said the health department sprung into action at around 6am. “We are conducting a survey here through a medical camp. We have collected water samples for testing,” he added.

An official of the health department, requesting anonymity, said residents of Samrat Colony told their teams that they were getting contaminated water for a month now. There are chances that sewage may have mixed with cleam water supply, resulting in the outbreak, he added.

Dr Bhagat said, “We distributed pamphlets and held meetings. We have visited 1,975 houses in the affected areas and distributed chlorine tablets. We have intimated the municipal corporation about the outbreak.”

MC WAKES UP

The MC sent a team to inspect the water supply pipes in the area. Roads were dug up at some places to check the supply. Executive engineer Harmesh Lal said, “We did not find any fault in the water supply. We have already ensured chlorination.”

“We have asked residents to collect water in bottles the next morning as some of them complained that they were getting dirty water in the morning,” he added.

Additional commissioner Vishesh Sarangal said he will look into the matter and take required steps.

This area falls under ward 74. Sources said ward councillor Amandeep Kaur was unavailable for comment. Her husband informed that she was out of station.

A diarrhoea outbreak is common in the city, especially during the rainy season. However, residents in several areas, including Jawahar Nagar, Preet Nagar, Dhandari, Prem Nagar and Giaspura, have complained of contaminated water.

RESIDENTS SPEAK

I noticed yellowish water being pumped to our houses two days ago, but had no idea that an outbreak will happen. We want the authorities to ensure clean water supply to our houses ---Rani, resident, Makkar Colony

OFFICIAL SPEAK

We distributed pamphlets and held meetings. We have visited 1,975 houses in the affected areas and distributed chlorine tablets. We have intimated the municipal corporation about the outbreak. --Dr Ramesh Bhagat, district epidemiologist

We did not find any fault in the water supply. We have asked residents to collect water in bottles the next morning as some of them complained that they were getting dirty water in the morning.-- Harmesh Lal, executive engineer, MC