Five springs were sealed after gastroenteritis and diarrhoea claimed two lives and rendered scores of others sick in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir over the past week, officials said on Wednesday.
The springs located in Dhar Sakri village of Kotranka sub-division were sealed as a precautionary measure after two of these tested positive for E-Coli, a group of bacteria that can cause infections in the gut, urinary tract and other parts of the body, the officials said.
Chief Medical Officer, Rajouri, Manohar Lal Rana, said around 40 cases of gastroenteritis and diarrhoea were reported from Sakri and one case from nearby Tralla village in the past five days.
However, two of them — a 75-year-old woman with comorbidities from Sakri and a 40-year-old woman suffering from acute dehydration and multi-organ failure from Tralla – -breathed their last.
In light of the reported cases of gastroenteritis, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri Abhishek Sharma visited the affected village and mobilised medical and other teams, including water testing laboratory staff and collected samples from natural springs (baolis) and one tap connection, the officials said.
Upon testing, E-Coli contamination was found in two springs, while the tap water was declared safe for consumption, they said, adding a total of five springs were sealed and are being treated.
As a precautionary measure, the district administration has issued a public health advisory urging residents to avoid using untreated spring water and to consume only safe, treated water.
Though the PHE department does not supply water from these baolis, it has taken proactive steps by thoroughly cleaning and chlorinating the contaminated baolis with bleaching powder. Additionally, all contaminated springs have been sealed to prevent public access, the officials said.
They said residents have been sensitised and made aware of the health risks associated with unsafe water sources.
Safe water supply is being ensured for the affected population, the officials said.
