Diarrhea outbreak in Mohali area

Mohali: The district has reported 20 cases of diarrhoea and one case of cholera in the last few days, with eight patients admitted to the local civil hospital. An outbreak of diarrhoea was reported from Kumbharan village here today. Water supply to the area has been stopped till water samples are collected. Many residents reached the medical camp complaining of stomach pain and weakness. Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain, after visiting the area, said water is being supplied to the area through tankers.

Staff of the health department, municipal corporation, water supply and sanitation wing and others camping in the area have been asked to conduct a door-to-door survey. Officials said residents have built underground water tanks, which could lead to the spread of diarrhoea. A team of the municipal corporation, water supply and sanitation wing is conducting an inspection in the area to find out the sources of contamination in the water supply lines. Local residents said that at many places the pipes were passing through drains and were close to sewage pits. Residents have been asked to clean their tanks and check for signs of contamination. “Chlorine tablets have been distributed in the area to disinfect drinking water. A medical team has been deployed at the village dispensary, which treats patients till 8 pm,” an official said.