Four people died due to cholera in Ambala

Ambala, Sep 15 (UNI) Cholera has spread in about half dozen slum colonies in the Cantonment area here, claiming lives of four people and affecting 67 others so far, official sources said today.

While three people died yesterday, one person, identified as Virender Kumar, a class IV employee in the local higher secondary school, succumbed to the disease today.

As many as 35 people were admitted to the civil hospital. The Chief Medical Officer said that 67 persons were given treatment in the hospital during the past two days. Some of the patients, suffering from vomiting and lose motions, were admitted in private hospitals.

The cause of the disease was traced to consumption of contaminated water and unhygienic environment in the slum areas.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shyine visited the residence of Virender Kumar to console his family members. He announced immediate financial aid of Rs 10,000 to the bereaved family.

The Deputy Commissioner also visited the civil hospital to enquire about the condition of those admitted for treatment.

He also went round the affected colonies and directed the public health department authorities to carry out intensive checking of the water supply lines.

Meanwhile, Haryana Health Commissioner Navraj Sandhu who also visited the affected area said that she had ordered collection of samples of water from supply lines for testing.

She said that all residents would be medically examined in the affected areas. Six medical teams have been formed to cover these areas.

She said there was no shortage of medicines in the hospital and the department would even arrange medicines from the market which were not available in the hospital.

She said that arrangements had been made to provide treatment to the patients at Ambala and those in precarious condition would be referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. All expenses of the patient referred to the PGI would be borne by the Government, she added.

UNI