Gastroenteritis outbreak in Kangan, over 100 hospitalised

Kangan, June 11:  At least 100 people have fallen ill due to a sudden outbreak of gastroenteritis in various areas of Gund tehsil in the Kangan sub-division of Ganderbal district.

The outbreak has triggered panic in areas like Rayil, Gund and other adjoining areas.

Scores of people including women and children have been hospitalised during the last couple of days after complaining about symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

“It started to spread rapidly in the area,” they said. “More than 100 persons from these areas are suffering due to the outbreak of gastroenteritis.”

The outbreak is being attributed to the “contaminated water” supplied by the Jal Shakti Department.

“We are getting the water supply from a reservoir, which is uncovered,” a resident said. “At times, even animals are seen in the water source from which the water is supplied.”

Meanwhile, a team of doctors from Kangan visited the affected village to ascertain the situation.

“We provided them with all necessary medical assistance. People have been made aware of the precautions to be taken,” a health official said.

Assistant Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Department, Kangan, Shabir Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that they had collected water samples from these areas.

“So far, no adverse result has returned. We are awaiting the reports of other samples,” he said.

Ahmad said that they had kept at least two to three water tankers available in these areas.

He denied reports that the water reservoir lies open.

Ahmad said chlorine is regularly put in the reservoir before water is supplied to the area.