23 people taken ill in Vijayawada with diarrhoea symptoms

At least 23 persons, the youngest being a 12-year-old, have taken ill with diarrhoea symptoms in New Rajarajeswari Peta in Vijayawada and 18 of them are receiving treatment at the Government General Hospital.

Most of them complained of diarrhoea between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. The last case was reported around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, said NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha. While CPI(M) leaders have said a middle-aged woman, with diarrhoeal symptoms, died, the Collector said the woman had been on a long medication for other illnesses and had no connection with the recent diarrhoeal episode.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Lakshmisha said there are 23 confirmed cases. “Two of them have been discharged and the others are stable and on medication. There is no need to panic,” the Collector said, adding that there has not been any particular pattern among the persons affected.

The Collector said while one in a family was affected, the others were healthy. At present, as a precautionary measure, supply of tap water has been stopped in the affected area. People were being supplied tank water.

The Collector said two ambulances have been stationed near the affected area, and a medical camp has been set up. ANMs and ASHAs have been directed to conduct a house-to-house survey to identify people with diarrhoeal symptoms and a medical team was ready to assist people. Awareness campaigns was being taken up by the administration and the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) among people about hand etiquette.

When asked about the reasons, Mr. Lakshmisha said it is, too, early to comment. The administration had found chlorine to be at the safe levels, and water samples from the area have been sent to laboratories to test for bacterial load, the Collector added.

Chief Medical Officer of Health, VMC, K. Arjuna Rao said three samples have been sent to the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Hyderabad, to test for biological contamination. The reports, he said, were expected within a week. Meanwhile, he said screening of all residents was being done and those with symptoms being referred to the Government General Hospital.

Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Satya Kumar Yadav has also enquired about the diarrhoeal cases in the city and has instructed the Collector to monitor the affected persons’ health continuously.

It may be noted that a similar episode of diarrhoeal outbreak was reported in the city last year in May. Cross contamination of pipelines was reported to be the cause.