3 fresh leptospirosis cases take Ferozepur outbreak count to 17

Three new cases of leptospirosis infection surfaced in Hazara Singh Wala, which has been witnessing an outbreak of jaundice, taking the total number of patients to 17.

As per the preliminary investigations, it has come to the fore that the infection had spread amid children due to contamination in the school’s water tank. The water purification systems in the two village schools were found to be non-functional and the contract for maintenance expired. The lids of the water tanks were also missing.

The children admitted to the Civil Hospital include Ravneet, Manohar, Jashan, Lovepreet Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Harman Singh, Harman Kaur, Mankirat Singh, Amrit Singh, Kirandeep Kaur, Simran Kaur, Arshdeep, Harpreet Singh, Mankirat Kaur, Sirat Kaur, Saroj Rani, and Gurvansh.

Senior Medical Officer Dr Nikhil Gupta said a separate 40-bed ward has been created in the Civil Hospital. “The kids are being provided fruits and coconut water,” said the SMO, adding that their diet was being taken care of by the health department.

ADC (Development) Krishanpal Rajput said the village’s water supply has been cut for the time being and 15 water tankers have been pressed into service to meet the needs. “Leakages are being identified,” he added.

Meanwhile, over the past three days, the Health Department has screened 775 people and collected blood samples of 517 individuals.

Sarpanch Gurnam Singh said contaminated water had been supplied in the village for the past few days.

Deputy District Education Officer Dr Satinder Singh said besides cleaning of the water tanks, reports have been sought, which will be forwarded to higher authorities for further actoin.