Karnataka - Gulbarga   

150 treated for gastroenteritis

Special Correspondent

First case was reported on Sunday in Madbol village in Shahapur taluk

GULBARGA: Gastroenteritis cases have been reported in Madbol village in Shahapur taluk in Gulbarga district due to contamination of drinking water. More than 150 people have been treated for the disease, according to sources.

District Health and Family Welfare Officer Nalini Namoshi, who is camping in the village along with a team of doctors and paramedical personnel, told The Hindu over telephone that although the situation was under control, fresh cases were being reported every passing hour. This would continue for another three days, the officer said.

Dr. Namoshi said the gram panchayat office in the village has been converted into a temporary hospital and the affected people are being provided treatment there. The required medicine and intra-venous fluids have been rushed to the village. There is no shortage of medicine.

At present, more than 60 people have been admitted in the temporary hospital at the gram panchayat building in the village. Another 20 have been shifted to the Shahapur Government Hospital. The condition of the patients admitted in the temporary hospital and the Shahapur Government Hospital is improving.

According to information reaching here, the main reason for the outbreak was the failure of the authorities to provide potable drinking water after the existing source became defunct three days ago due to power failure.

Following the non-supply of water by the authorities, the villagers were forced to use the open wells in the village for drinking water and utility purposes. The first case of gastroenteritis was reported on Sunday.

According to an estimate, more than 300 have been affected. At least one or two from each family in the village have complained of symptoms.

Reports said that Revenue authorities started transportation of drinking water through tankers to the village on Monday. Cleaning of the open wells has been taken up on an emergency basis. Public announcements were also made asking the people not to use water from the open wells.

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