3 die of diarrhoea in Ganjam

Brahmapur: Panic has gripped parts of Ganjam district following an outbreak of diarrhoea in villages under Dharakote and Sanakhemundi blocks, leaving at least three persons dead and several others seriously ill. Five patients from Marthapur village are currently undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here.

The affected areas include Patashala village under Dharakote block and Marthapur and Rajanapalli villages under Podamari panchayat of Sanakhemundi block. Medical teams from Dharakote and Manikpur PHCs, led by Dr Bahan Dash, Superintendent of CHC Adapada in Sanakhemundi block, have visited the affected villages and started treatment, while ASHA workers and health officials are creating awareness among residents.

In the latest incident, Surendra Mallik (60) of Marthapur died while undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital on September 30. Raghunath Mallik (62), Runi Mallik (15), Shubham Mallik (13) and Banamali Mallik (55) are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

According to villagers, Bharat Mallik had died of diarrhoea and vomiting around 12 days ago. A feast was organised in the village as part of his post-death rituals. Surendra, Banamali and their family members attended the feast on Tuesday, following which several people reportedly suffered from diarrhoea and vomiting during the night.

Surendra’s body was brought back to the village at around 7.30 pm on Wednesday and his last rites were performed at the village cremation ground later in the evening.

Health officials suspect food poisoning may have triggered the outbreak, though the exact cause is yet to be established. Drinking water samples and other materials from the affected areas have been collected and sent for testing.

Samples are being collected by Arun Kumar Behera with Lab Technician Prabin Kumar Das.

A special health team from the district administration is monitoring the situation, while medical personnel continue treatment and surveillance in the affected villages. Officials are also keeping a close watch on other residents, including children, showing similar symptoms.

Meanwhile, Marthapur Sarpanch Santosh Bishoyi has urged Dhanurjaya Behera (Assistant Executive Engineer) and Upama Ghadei (Assistant Engineer of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation) to repair the village tube-wells and disinfect them with bleaching powder as a precautionary measure.