Water-borne disease surfaces in Rajouri’s tribal hamlet, dozens fall sick

Srinagar, Jun 10: Scores of people falling “mysteriously” sick in a village in Rajouri being has turned out to be a water-borne gastrointestinal outbreak, likely caused by the E. coli contamination in local wells and ponds, that, according to health officials, have turned toxic by recent rainfall mixing fecal matter from open defecation into the only water sources available.

Dr Manohar Lal Rana, Chief Medical Officer, Rajouri termed the “mysterious illness” in Kotli Bagla in Drahal block of Rajouri as a water borne disease. “We had around 35 people with diarrhea and vomiting. After scientific analysis, that included testing samples of water they consume, we have concluded that it is being caused by contaminated water,” he said. He said the villagers do not have access to tap water and they consume water from local wells and ponds. “Over the past few days, there has been heavy rainfall which may have washed the fecal matter into these water bodies, causing it to have disease causing microorganisms at dangerous levels. “People defecate in the open here. It is a low developed area,” he said.

Syed Shuja Qadri, Head Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College Rajouri confirmed that the water samples taken from the village were contaminated with Coliform bacteria. He said it was important to chlorinate the water bodies, or in houses. “E.coli in water, which we found, causes mild to moderate gastroenteritis. All the patients have been managed well,” he said.

However, the case in Kotli village is not just about the scores of people falling ill. It highlights the gross deficiency of basic civic amenities, and elusive clean drinking water in the area and many areas like it. Despite numerous government water supply and sanitation schemes, clean drinking water has not reached the communities, endangering their lives. Moreover, the people still need to transport water to their households in the difficult terrain, a situation that has social and cultural ramifications of its own.

The iconic Jal Jeevan Mission, aiming to provide piped water to every rural household by 2024 does not seem to have made a difference in the village. In addition, the Swachh Bharat Mission, targeting universal sanitation coverage has also failed to ensure open defecation free villages. Health officials said that most residents, many from nomadic communities, rely on unprotected wells and ponds for all water needs—drinking, bathing, and washing.

Moreover, the livestock also depend on the same water sources. Open defecation near these sources, coupled with animal grazing, creates a breeding ground for pathogens like E. coli, with studies showing that such water bodies often harbor dangerous microbes during rainy seasons. For now, the district administration has sealed contaminated sources, and is providing water to the residents through water tanks.