Dhaval Kulkarni
Mumbai
HOLI WAS marred by an outbreak of gastroenteritis in South Mumbai, which claimed two lives and put 55 people, including 17 children, in hospital. Of those admitted, five are in intensive care, of whom one is critical. Officials said the number of people affected is likely to rise. Civic officials suspect faulty water supply lines to be the cause of the outbreak.
The victims hail from buildings and slums around Crawford Market — Saboo Siddique Road, civic chawls, Bengalipura, Dana Bunder and Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar.
Additional municipal commissioner Vijaysinh Patankar said patients had started coming to G.T. Hospital from Monday complaining of severe loose motions and vomiting. However, the number started swelling from Wednesday morning. A special ward has been marked for gastro patients.
Late on Wednesday, 10 people were admitted to St George Hospital and Kasturba Hospital. However, Patankar said it was yet to be confirmed if they were gastro patients.
Both the fatalities were very young. Naheya Alhat (7) passed away on Tuesday evening at G.T. Hospital. Ankita Aagre (17), who had just appeared for her HSC exams, was declared dead on arrival on Wednesday morning.
Dr Pravin Shingare, Dean of J.J. Hospital, said that though patients had shown gastro symptoms, they had sent stool samples for testing. “The bacteria must have entered their bodies through the oral route. This is possible through contaminated food or water. However, since the patients have not eaten from a common source, contamination through water seems likely,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Brihanmum bai Municipal Corporation shut water supply to the affected areas as a preventive measure, sending tankers instead. Chlorine tablets were also distributed. Doctors and hydraulic engineers were dispatched to the area to determine the source of contamination.
But residents weren’t impressed. Patankar was gheraoed by angry residents, who claimed that the BMC was doing little to help. “Despite tall claims before TV cameras, your officers turned up only today, and only one water tanker has been dispatched to us so far,” a resident told Patankar.
WATCH OUT! SYMPTOMS Vomiting, sometimes accompanied by fever and stomach ache. Loose motions. Weakness, nausea, dehydration. PREVENTION Drink plenty of boiled water. Avoid roadside food Wash hands before meals. Avoid self-medication, go to a doctor.
*Source:http://epaper.hindustantimes.com,Mumbai
Edition
dated Thursday,March 16,2006.*