Gastroenteritis outbreak spreads in Rajouri’s Sakri village after water contamination

Rajouri, Jun 27: At least 19 people have been hospitalised in Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri while dozens have received the treatment in the village by mobile medical team following gastroenteritis outbreak among inhabitants in Sakri village in Rajouri district.

The health department has termed it as illness due to water contamination after E-coli has been found in water samples of the area.

As per the details, 19 villagers from the village were brought to GMC Associated Hospital Rajouri during the last 72 hours.

All the patients complained of diarrhea besides other gastroenteritis symptoms and medical issues with few of them reporting partial unconsciousness due to dehydration.

Among these, two patients have been referred to GMC Jammu for nephrological consultation and specialised treatment while seven patients are still under treatment in GMC Associated Hospital.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Rajouri Dr. Manohar Lal Rana said that it was a confirmed case of water based contamination due to E-Coli.

“Our teams immediately swung into action and samples of water consumed by villagers were collected and E-Coli has been found in the samples,” CMO Rajouri said.

It is believed to be another established case of E-Coli based water contamination as reported in the Kotli Bagla incident two weeks ago in which 30 people fell ill.

CMO Rajouri further said that seven patients are presently undergoing treatment in GMC Associated Hospital.

“Two patients are in ICU while six patients have been discharged so far and another four patients left the hospital without discharge on their own will. But they were stable,” he said.

He further said that the two patients referred to GMC Jammu have been sent for nephrological consultation and are also responding to the treatment properly.

The Chief Medical Officer appealed to all the people to take all necessary and suggested precautions in the rainy season and advised the general public to consume hygienic water