Hundreds infected with gastroenteritis in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jul 15: Concerned over reports that hundreds of people were infected with gastroenteritis in the valley, particularly in south Kashmir, authorities have rushed medical teams to the affected areas and asked people to use boiled water.

Official sources said here today that in a prompt response to the reports of cases of gastroenteritis in the Bijbehara area in south Kashmir, the Health Department has deployed various medical teams for disseminating mass awareness regarding the necessity of consuming boiled water especially during the current rainy season.

These teams were educating people about preventive measures to check spread of diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and other water-borne diseases.

They said about 500 people infected with gastroenteritis have been treated in Bijbehara hospital during the last few days.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has obtained samples to ascertain quality of water at the source from where drinking water is being supplied to Bijbehara town.

Chief Engineer PHE Kashmir has said germicides are being applied to ensure supply of clean drinking water.

He said the Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer PHE were working with the Health Department to look into the problem of gastroenteritis in the town.

Meanwhile, the Director Health Services Kashmir has asked people to use only boiled water and said it is the best prevention and precaution for gastroenteritis and other water-borne diseases.

He said, every year in summer months, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis cases occur in various villages due to rains and contamination in water sources. This is a seasonal phenomenon, he said, adding that in case of any problem, treatment is available in all the health centres and people can approach for treatment.

UNI