29 fresh cases of diarrhoea reported from Mauli Jagran

Mohit Khanna 

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 19

As many as 29 fresh cases of diarrhoea were reported from Mauli Jagran today. Of the 29 cases, eight were of mild diarrhoea, which were referred to the Mani Majra Civil Hospital.

According to the authorities at the Health Department, as many as 141 cases of mild diarrhoea had been reported in the past three days. Rising cases of stomach infection and diarrhoea have prompted the Health Department to set-up an evening OPD at the Mauli Jagran dispensary. 

“Further, water samples from all three tubewells in the area were collected and the report is expected to arrive soon,” said Health Department officials. On June 17, soon after the diarrhoea outbreak, Dr G Dewan, Director, Health Services, had announced free treatment for all diarrhoea patients.   

  So far, the Health Department has surveyed 5,086 houses and 1,145 ORS  packets have been distributed. 

Water scarcity led to diarrhoea outbreak?

A heath department official said water scarcity had led to the diarrhoea outbreak. “There is a serious scarcity of water in Mauli Jagran. Due to the water crisis, people are passionate about storing water.  We suspect that they might have stored contaminated water a few days ago. So, we have distributed nearly 2,000 chlorine tablets to the houses where water has been stored,” said the heath official.

Chhabeel organisers told to maintain hygiene 

 A Health Department official said cases of diarrhoea were reported from Mani Majra, Indira Colony and surrounding areas on Tuesday. In some of the cases, it was found that people suffered from diarrhoea after consuming water being offered at a Chhabeel. “We have advised Chhabeel organiser to maintain hygiene and ensure that clean water is served to people,” said the health official.

Mayor, MC Commissioner inspect water supply

Chandigarh:  While the Chandigarh Municipal  Corporation failed to find the  source of water contamination in Mauli Jagran, Mayor Davesh Moudgil and Municipal Commissioner KK Yadav on Tuesday visited the area from where diarrhoea cases were reported. 

• Accompanied by area councillor Anil Dubey,  Manoj Bansal, Chief Engineer; and  NP Sharma, Superintending Engineer (B&R) they met patients at the Mani Majra Civil Hospital. They inspected the tubewell from which water is being supplied to the area. 
• They checked the level of chlorine and the water supply in the area besides inspecting patients’ houses.
• The Mayor and the Municipal Commissioner directed officials concerned to maintain proper cleanliness in the area. They asked engineers to check and clean water and sewage pipes properly.
• The Mayor said 50 water samples collected by teams of the public health wing of the Municipal Corporation from various houses were found fit for consumption and officials had been asked to collect water samples regularly. TNS