Patiala sees 12 water-borne disease outbreaks in five years

Mohit Khanna

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Patiala, July 22

In the past five years, Patiala district has experienced 12 water-borne disease outbreaks in various areas.

The fact came to light today when Patiala Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray chaired an all department meeting of the District Surveillance Committee to tackle the issue of water-borne diseases in the district. The meeting was attended by Municipal Commissioner Aditya Dachalwal, ADCs Kanchan and Navreet Kaur Sekhon, Civil Surgeon Dr Sanjay Goel, and other officials from various departments.

Areas at risk

Sanjay Colony, Jejji Colony, Indira Colony, Markel Colony, Shigligar Basti, Abchal Nagar, Bharat Nagar Near DCW, Bharat Nagar Nabha Road, Tafazalpura, Badungar, Old Bishan Nagar, Deen Dyaal Upadhay Nagar, Muslim Colony, Mathura Colony, Heera Bagh, Bhindra Colony, New Yadwindra Colony, Babu Singh Colony in Patiala Urban; Ablowal, Alipur Arayian, Choura in Patiala Rural; Waraichan Patti, Malkana Patti, Gharama Patti, Tibbi Mohalla, Bhamana Patti, Sarai Patti, Lohara Mohalla in Samana; Old Rajpura, Rajpura Town in Rajpura; Bazigar Basti, Mehas Gate, Valmeek Basti in Nabha; Pabri, Saidkheri, Madanpur, Nalaas in Block Kalomajra; Deha Colony, Ward No. 10, Ward No. 11 in Ghanour; and Ward No. 11, Khalsa Colony and Bhankhar Colony in Sanour.

The focus of the meeting was on addressing common water-borne diseases such as cholera, ADD/gastroenteritis, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid.

The meeting was convened after nearly 100 cases of diarrhoea were discovered form Patran, Mohindra Colony and Jhill village.

During the meeting, it was emphasised that the Patiala Municipal Corporation should ensure regular surveys of water lines in slum and vulnerable areas to check for leakage, and perform drinking water sampling in all areas. In case of dirty water supply, mixing, or foul smell, an alternative chlorinated water source should be provided through tankers, and super-chlorination (2-4 mg/l residual chlorine) should be implemented during outbreaks.

Timely procurement of insecticides and larvicides was highlighted, along with the creation of an advanced fogging schedule, especially in areas reporting dengue cases. Fogging coverage should be ensured twice monthly in all streets from August to November, and the Health Branch of the MC should actively respond in outbreak situations.

The Patiala Development Authority was instructed to prepare a plan for anti-larval measures and fogging, and to ensure the provision of clean and safe drinking water in their areas. The Water Supply and Sanitation/Water Supply and Sewage Board were also tasked with conducting regular surveys of water lines in slum and vulnerable areas, performing drinking water sampling, providing alternative chlorinated water sources if needed, and implementing super-chlorination during outbreaks.

The Government Medical College, Patiala, was directed to prepare for water and vector-borne diseases with necessary medicines and supplies, ensure daily reporting of all diseases on the IHIP portal with complete case details, monitor the status of dengue wards, and appoint a nodal officer to monitor case clustering and alert the District Health Department.