41 more fall prey to diarrhoea

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 25

With 41 fresh cases of diarrhoea reported today, the total number of patients has reached 290. The total admissions till date have been 47, out of which 16 patients have been discharged.

Taking a serious note of the spread of diarrhoea in the city, Deputy Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Agrawal has instructed the Health Department to take necessary steps to control the situation immediately. He said, “Senior officials of the Health Department should monitor the situation personally.” Agrawal instructed that daily reports be submitted at his office till the disease was under control.

While sharing the latest report from health officials, Agrawal said, “Special camps have been established in the affected areas. Health workers are making the masses aware through meetings and door-to-door campaigns. Chlorine tablets are also being distributed. More than dozen teams are working actively.”

While giving details, Dr Ramesh Bhagat, district epidemiologist, said, “As of now, only 31 patients are admitted to the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana, while less affected patients are getting medicines from camps.”

He said, “As per the WHO, diarrhoea is defined as the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day (or more frequent passage than is normal for an individual). Frequent passing of formed stools is not diarrhoea, nor is the passing of loose, “pasty” stools by breastfed babies.”

“Diarrhoea is usually the symptom of gastrointestinal infection, which can be caused by a variety of viral, parasitic and bacteria organisms. It is both preventable and treatable,” he added.

Severe diarrhoea leads to fluid loss and may be life-threatening particularly for children and the people, who are malnourished or have impaired immunity. Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking-water or from person to person as a result of poor hygiene.

The disease

Diarrhoea caused by contaminated food or water while travelling is often known as traveller’s diarrhoea. It usually occurs when fluid cannot be absorbed from contents of bowel or when extra fluid is secreted into bowel causing watery faeces. 

The symptoms

• Symptoms include watery stools, abdominal cramps, thin or loose stools, sense of urgency to have a bowel movement, nausea and vomiting.
• The symptoms of complicated diarrhoea include dehydration, blood, mucus, undigested food in stool, weight loss and fever.

Prevention

• To prevent the spread of infections that cause diarrhoea, always maintain high standards of hygiene. 
• Drink boiled water only. 
• Wash hands thoroughly before eating, while preparing food and after going to the toilet. 
• Clean the toilet, including the handle and the seat, with disinfectant after each bout of diarrhoea. 
• Avoid sharing towels, cutlery or utensils with other household members. 
• Avoid returning to work or school until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea.