All six water samples from cholera-hit village fail test

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, October 26

All six water samples collected by the district administration from the cholera-affected Bhattian village have failed, forcing Deputy Commissioner Vipul Ujwal to send more samples to the state laboratory in Mohali. According to official figures, over 50 persons have been affected by the disease in the village.

“We will continue to send samples till they pass the laboratory test. The samples are being collected from various sources, including the main water tank and taps of houses. I have instructed the health authorities to collect at least six samples every day. Today, no villager arrived for treatment in the special ward established at the Civil Hospital. The contamination has been contained to a large extent. However, we are still checking certain areas where we fear contamination may occur,” said the DC.

However, despite his assertions, three patients got themselves admitted at the Babri village dispensary while an equal number reported at private hospitals.

Earlier in the day, the DC held a review meeting, in which Health and Water Supply and Sanitation Department officials were present. Later, he toured the village and went to the adjoining villages of Jagowal Bangar and Chhib.

A water tanker and an ambulance remained stationed in the village for the fourth consecutive day.

The Batala Civil Hospital authorities have also been asked to make preparations in case the number of patients increased.

Dr Kishan Chand, Civil Surgeon, and senior officers of the water supply department remained in the village throughout the day.

The administration is also keeping an eye on Khojepur village, 7 km from Gurdaspur, where stagnant water regularly accumulates in the absence of a proper outlet. On September 14, the DC had sent Health Department teams to check the spread of waterborne diseases.

Residents, however, claim that the administration has done nothing to mitigate their problems.

The DC said he was aware of the problem in Khojepur. “The situation is being monitored regularly,” he said.