Over 70 gastro cases in Phagwara

Our Correspondent

Phagwara, October 19

More than 70 persons, including women and children, have fallen ill following the outbreak of gastroenteritis in localities of Sham Nagar, Pipa-Rangi, and Shiv Puri on Tuesday. As many as 23 residents of these three localities, including 12 men and 11 women, were admitted to the Civil Hospital whereas 10 patients were admitted to Gandhi Hospital, nine to GB Hospital and four to Gupta Hospital, Phagwara, while other patients are being treated by private doctors of the town.

Six water samples collected

The teams of the Health Department led by Senior Medical Officer Lehmber Ram and Microbiologist Dr Ramanpreet Kaur visited the affected localities and took eight stool samples and six water samples to examine the cause of the outbreak of the disease.

Senior Medical Officer Dr Lehmber Ram while confirming the outbreak of gastroenteritis said two patients have been referred to Jalandhar due to their serious condition. Leakage in water pipes and mixing of water and sewerage pipes was said to be the cause of the outbreak. Phagwara SDM Kulpreet Singh instructed health officials to take care of the admitted patients. He also instructed the water supply officers to check the leakage of pipes. Pardeep Chattani, SDO, Water Supply, rushed to the spot but the team of the department could not find out the leakage. The teams of the Health Department led by SMO Lehmber Ram and Microbiologist Dr Ramanpreet Kaur visited the affected localities and took eight stool samples and six water samples to examine the cause of the outbreak.

Meanwhile, the health team has collected water samples from a hand pump installed within the premises of the houses and sent these for testing. Meanwhile, a medical camp was set up and the health team distributed ORS packets and medicines to the affected patients. SMO Dr Lehmber Ram of the Civil Hospital said the situation was under control and there was no need to panic and all patients admitted in the Civil Hospital are stable now.

SDM Kulpreet Singh said slum dwellers were being sensitised to maintain hygiene in and around their houses and made them aware of the preventive steps to be taken in case of vomiting and diarrhoea. The health officials said the outbreak could probably be due to the consumption of contaminated water.