Sambalpur: At least 129 people have been admitted to different hospitals due to an outbreak of diarrhoea at Hirakud area in Sambalpur district over the past two to three days.
According to officials, Diarrhoea has been spreading in Kalupada, Goudpada, Gurdwarapada New Marketpada of the Hirakud area. The infected persons have been admitted to the Hirakud Government Hospital and VIMSAR Hospital, Burla in the last three days.
At the Hirakud Government Hospital, 36 patients were admitted on March 21; 42 patients on March 22 and 49 patients on March 23. Among them, the serious patients were shifted to VIMSAR Medical Centre. The district health department said that diarrhoea is spreading due to contaminated water.
Sambalpur Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Srikanta Prusty and District Collector Akshay Agrawal have visited the hospital and inquired about the health condition of the patients.
“We suspect that the water was contaminated due to recent heavy rainfall. The situation is normal and many patients returned after getting treatment for just one day,” said RDC Srikant Prusty while speaking to media persons.
RDC Shri Prusty said situation is under control and District Administration is taking all steps to help out the people in distress.
RDC Shri Prusty said as reported in Media about death of a patient due to diarrhoea is not correct.
The deceased was identified as Tikeswar Nayak. Tikeswar had co-morbidity and was admitted to Hirakud Government Hospital and then shifted to VIMSAR Hospital, Burla as his health deteriorated. He passed away early this morning.
RDC Shri Prusty had taken detailed review of the situation and directed officials to take corrective and preventive measures in view of the emerging situation.
Shri Prusty stressed upon improvement of sanitation of Sambalpur, Burla and adjacent areas, falling in Sambalpur Municipal Corporation(SMC).
“The Public Health Department officials have supplied Hirakud dam water to the people without purification and disinfection. Due to consumption of raw water, the people are suffering from diarrhoea,” said Ashok Kumar Das, ADMO, Sambalpur.
However, the PHD officials said they are testing water samples on a regular basis and it was found to be safe for drinking.
.Chlorination has been done and contamination has been controlled, said sources.
Meanwhile, the Sambalpur Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) has submitted a report to the Collector stating that water treatment is not being carried out in the area. Water samples have been collected from four places.
The Health Department is conducting door-to-door visits as part of steps to create awareness among residents through ASHS workers. The mobile health unit is keeping its eye on the current situation as part of its measures to prevent the disease from spreading, officials said.