Four people died of diarrhoea

27th August 2010
Phulbani, Orissa:  Four people died and 98 others were taken ill, 11 of them seriously, after being affected by diarrhoea in Orissa's Kandhamal district, official sources said.

The deaths were reported since last one week in five remote villages under Daringibadi public health centre, additional district medical officer (ADMO-Public Health), Jatin Patnaik said.

The disease had taken an epidemic form in Hatimunda village in Hatimunda GP where one person died and about 20 others were affected.

In Kallingi village under Tajungia GP the disease has claimed two lives including a woman and affected 25 others.

Similarly, in Danekbadi village under the same GP a girl identified as Sasmita Baliarsingh died and seven others were affected.

At least 26 people including a number of children in Badangia villagia under Sirkaburga GP and 20 persons in Gadapur village under same GP 20 people affected with the disease during the period, hospital sources said.

Health teams from Daringbadi, Balliguda and mobile health unit of an NGO were pressed in to service. Preventive measures were taken in all the affected villages and situation is stated to be under control, Patnaik said.
     
 All the water bodies in the affected villages have been disinfected and sufficient medicines distributed.

Consumption of contaminated water from unhygienic sources in absence of safe drinking water owing to defunct tube wells is said to be the cause of the disease, Patnaik said.