150 gastroenteritis cases in Palampur

Our Correspondent

Palampur, May 19

At least 150 gastroenteritis cases were reported from Nanahar and Nain villages here last evening. The patients, who complained of fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, have been admitted to hospitals.

Panchayat pardhan Bhuri Singh Thakur informed the local authorities about the cases. SDM Dharmesh Ramotra directed officials to visit the affected areas.

A health official said villagers had been getting contaminated water, which could have led to the outbreak of the disease. Water supply had been disconnected and tanks were being cleaned with chlorine.

He said most patients had recovered, but were still under observation. A team of the IPH Department had collected water samples for chemical analysis.

The SDM had ordered the chlorination of water tanks of adjoining panchayats.

Sanjay Thakur, Executive Engineer, IPH, Palampur, has ruled out the possibility of water contamination. Over 1,500 residents were getting water from the same source. He claimed that the tank was cleaned only two months ago.