Report

Residents of Kella, Gudem, Punapureddy Peta, and Goshada villages in Gurla Mandal, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh are gripped by fear following at least 160 reported cases of diarrhoea in the past five days. Authorities have set up a medical facility at the Zilla Parishad high school to treat those affected. On Friday, six more cases were confirmed.

While villagers claim that seven people have died due to the outbreak, district officials have only verified one death from diarrhoea. Of the 160 affected individuals, 55 are receiving treatment at various medical facilities, including 24 at the Gurla Medical Camp, 14 at Vizianagaram Government General Hospital (GGH), 11 at Gosha, and six at Cheepurupalli Community Health Centre (CHC).

Initial Investigations

DMHO Dr. Bhaskara Rao reported that around 100 patients have recovered. He explained that initial investigations identified V. cholerae as the primary cause of the outbreak. District Collector B.R. Ambedkar held a meeting on Friday to assess the situation and confirmed that only one death was related to diarrhoea.

The Collector further explained that contaminated water from the infiltration well at River Champavathi likely triggered the outbreak. In response, authorities halted the water supply and conducted super chlorination in the well. Water is now being delivered by tanks to the affected villages.

Officials have also collected samples from bore wells for lab testing. The Collector urged the public to remain calm, reassuring them that only one death was caused by diarrhoea, while the other six deaths were linked to chronic illnesses and age-related conditions. He emphasized that the government is taking all necessary measures to address the crisis.

Source: The New Indian Express