Ganderbal, Aug 04: Nearly a dozen people, including several children, have been hospitalised following a suspected outbreak of gastroenteritis in Wurpash Malang Mohalla area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The outbreak is believed to have been triggered by the consumption of contaminated drinking water.
According to residents, many people in the area complained of symptoms including vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea over the past two days. Most of the affected individuals were rushed to the District Hospital Ganderbal for treatment.
“We are being supplied unfiltered and uncovered water by the Jal Shakti Department. The local reservoir is in a dilapidated state and remains open, making it vulnerable to contamination,” said one of the residents.
The situation has caused panic in the area, especially among families with young children. A medical team was promptly dispatched to the affected locality to assess the situation and provide necessary aid.
“We have deployed a team of doctors and provided all required medical assistance. Public awareness is also being spread on necessary precautions,” a senior health official said, adding that so far there are no reports of jaundice from the area and initial test results have returned negative for any severe water-borne pathogens.
Executive Engineer of the Jal Shakti Department in Ganderbal, however, denied the claims of negligence. “Water samples from the affected areas have been collected, and no adverse results have surfaced yet. The residents primarily use spring water in the locality. We plan to close the suspected springs after consulting with the community,” he said.
The official further said that chlorine is regularly added to the water supply and that the reservoir is covered and properly maintained.
