Gastroenteritis outbreak hits Bijbehara, dozens affected

Bijbehara, July 20: At around 5:40 pm on Friday, Block Medical Officer, Sallar, Dr Zahoor Ahmad was informed about some residents suffering from gastroenteritis at Trail village in south Kashmir's Bijbehara area.

Ahmad along with a medical team rushed to the village and found the situation near-alarming with a significant number of patients experiencing diarrhoea and vomiting.

The BMO soon made arrangements at the medical facilities in the nearby villages of Sirgufwara, Sallar, and Adlach.

By late evening, the number of patients significantly went up to 100 with many exhibiting the symptoms of acute dehydration.

“As the number of patients surged, I called for ambulances and ferried them to other medical facilities,” Ahmad said.

He said that a fleet of 10 to 12 ambulances was pressed into service.

According to the official, around 100 patients were admitted to different medical facilities.

“Some eight to 10 patients were suffering from acute dehydration, which required special attention,” the BMO said. “Almost all patients were treated and discharged.”

The official said that 30 to 35 paramedics were immediately deployed in the affected village and nearby health centres to treat the patients.

“A team of over 12 doctors including specialists have also been sent to the area,” Ahmad said.

The health officials suspected the consumption of contaminated water or food as the cause behind the sudden breakout of gastroenteritis in the village.

Following the breakout, both the health officials and the Jal Shakti Department visited the area and collected the water samples, the test report of which may take between 24 to 48 hours.

A 65-year-old patient said that over the last few days, the village experienced an erratic water supply.

“I don’t know what triggered this outbreak, but I think there is some problem with the piped water,” he said.

Meanwhile, the medical teams made announcements in the area, asking people to maintain hygiene and consume boiled water.