Gastroenteritis outbreak in Anantnag village: “Situation under control”, says DHSK

Srinagar, July 21: Department of Health Services Kashmir Sunday said the situation in village Trail, Block Sallar in Anantnag district is closely being monitored after the outbreak of Gastroenteritis disease.

It said the health teams have been rushed to the village to ascertain the facts, while as water and stool samples have been collected and sent to DPHL Anantnag for investigations whose reports are awaited.

“A team of health officials, on the directions Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Director Health Services Kashmir, visited the affected village of Trail, Block Sallar, Anantnag, following reports of a gastroenteritis outbreak on July 19, 2024. The team, comprising Dr. Samina Gul, SSO, IDSP; Dr. Afshan Abdullah, State Epidemiologist, IDSP; and the District Rapid Response Team, led by Dr. M Y Zagoo; CMO Anantnag, and Block Medical Officer caller Dr Zahoor  conducted a thorough investigation and found 89 cases of mild to moderate gastroenteritis reported till July 20, 2024, DHSK spokesperson said.

He said in the meanwhile no deaths have been reported while as 3 water samples and 3 stool samples were sent to DPHL Anantnag for investigation whose reports are awaited.

He added to control the outbreak, the team conducted IEC activities and miking in the affected area; advised villagers to consume boiled water; distributed ORS packets among affected cases; and conducted door-to-door visits to identify new cases.

Local teams have been instructed to maintain close vigilance and report any new developments, the spokesperson said, and added the situation is under control, and the health department is closely monitoring the situation.