Jahangeer Ganaie
Rajouri, Jun 28: An elderly woman lost her life and at least 19 other residents have been hospitalised in Sakri village of Rajouri district, following a gastroenteritis outbreak triggered by contaminated drinking water, health officials said on Saturday.
An official said that a 75-year-old woman, who had existing health issues, succumbed after suffering from acute diarrhoea. Over the past 72 hours, 19 villagers have been admitted to the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital Rajouri with symptoms including persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration. Two of the more severe cases were shifted to GMC Jammu for advanced medical care, he said.
Lab tests confirmed the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in water samples collected from the affected area, indicating contamination due to poor sanitation and possible faecal matter in the water supply. “This is clearly a waterborne outbreak caused by E. coli. The symptoms and test results confirm the link,” a health department official said.
A mobile medical unit has been active in Sakri for over a week, treating patients with mild symptoms at their doorsteps. The outbreak has raised concerns among health authorities, especially as it follows a similar incident in Kotli Bagla village two weeks ago, where 30 individuals had fallen ill due to water contamination.
In response, the local administration has intensified efforts to contain the spread. Residents have been advised to boil drinking water and avoid raw vegetables or cold food items. Simultaneously, water sources are being cleaned and disinfected as a preventive measure. Surveillance has also been increased in neighbouring villages to ensure early detection of further cases.
A senior official from the health department stated that a full-fledged investigation is underway to identify the root cause of the contamination. “The goal is to fix the source of pollution and ensure the water supply is safe for public use,” he said.
Meanwhile, Darhal MLA Javed Iqbal Chowdhury urged the public to take precautions and follow health advisories in letter and spirit.
“Today I spoke to Shri Baldev Singh of Sakri and conveyed my heartfelt sympathies on the tragic loss of his sister,” Chowdhury said. “I am relieved that most of the affected villagers are now recovering. I urge everyone to stay vigilant—please consume only boiled water and avoid uncooked food during this time.” (KNO)
