A diarrhea outbreak was reported in Panchkula districton Wednesday which has been attributed to underground spilling and mixing of sewer water in pipeline connections. 

A nine-year-old boy lost his life due to the outbreak and around 300 persons from the village areas of Abheypur have been reported to be affected. Close to 56 patients are receiving treatment at the public health camps set up in the affected areas. Others have been admitted to Panchkula Civil Hospital. Around 65 adults and 46 children have been admitted to the hospital.

Stool samples obtained on Wednesday have confirmed the outbreak to be due to cholera. Treatment is being given according to the disease and patients are responding positively, said the doctors.

CMO Panchkula, Dr Mukta Kumar, visited the site on Thursday and noted that the sanitary conditions, particularly at Abheypur, were poor. The tank providing water is adjacent to the open sewer which carries all house discharges. Kumar said that there was continuous seepage of the dirty water underground, which could have resulted in the cholera outbreak.

The hospital’s COVID pediatrics unit has been allocated to treat children suffering from diarrhea.

The nine-year-old boy Arpit, who lost his life due to the disease, was admitted on Tuesday night, kept there till Wednesday morning, and was then discharged. He was attended to by a doctor only once after which he was treated by the nurses. He was discharged in the morning and died by noon, said a family member. The boy’s family members alleged that the doctors were negligent.

During a press conference, Dr Kumar said that the on-call doctor kept the boy overnight and then a decision was taken to discharge him. The child was assessed at the OPD and was fine as he was standing by himself. However, in cases of cholera, the onset of diarrhea can be excessive and sudden and immediate steps are required. But, by the time he was brought to the hospital, nothing could be done.

Dr Kumar noted that the water dispensed at the homes of the victims was very dirty and not fit for consumption.

The Public Health department of HSVP has denied any responsibility in the matter. The water supply through pipelines has been completely stopped and water tankers have been made available in the affected area. Water samples have been sent for inspection and results are awaited.

Source: The Indian Express