Drinking water pipelines and open drains side by side in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh Guntur, Andhra Pradesh: In a massive outbreak of gastroenteritis, 10 people have reportedly died in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh; officials put the number of deaths at four in the last week.
Reports say, negligence on the part of civic officials and staff led to widespread water contamination.
It’s a near-epidemic situation, said the District Medical Officer Yasmin.
Hospitals have been flooded with patients complaining of vomiting, frequent motions and fever.
The District Collector, K Sasidhar, has done a door to door survey with health officials and has asked the health centres to stock up necessary medicines and IV fluids.
Teams to inspect the water supply pipelines have been formed by Mr Sasidhar, who is personally overseeing repair of leakages.
Special medical camps have been organised in the worst affected colonies of Anandapet, Sangadigunta, Old Guntur, Ali Nagar, KVP Colony and Sarada Colony.
An emergency meeting was called by the Municipal Commissioner C. Anuradha on Saturday, after which super chlorination was done to control contamination.
Ripe garbage and open drains next to drinking water points have been seen in several localities of Guntur.
Bottled water is also not available as the authorities have cracked down on local bottling plants to stop contamination.