Rajouri, June 28, KNT: An outbreak of gastroenteritis in Sakri village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district has left a 75-year-old woman dead and at least 19 others hospitalised over the past 72 hours, triggering panic in the region. Health officials have confirmed the presence of Escherichia coli (E.coli) in the village’s water supply, tracing the outbreak to contaminated water.
The deceased woman, who had pre-existing medical conditions, succumbed after suffering from acute diarrhoea, officials said. Of the 19 patients admitted to Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri, two have been shifted to GMC Jammu in critical condition, while others are being treated for diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration.
A health department official confirmed, “This is a confirmed case of waterborne illness due to E.coli contamination.” He also drew parallels to a similar outbreak in Kotli Bagla two weeks ago, where 30 people fell ill due to tainted water.
Medical teams were swiftly deployed to Sakri, providing on-site treatment to villagers with mild symptoms. Authorities acted promptly by collecting water samples, which later tested positive for E.coli, a bacteria typically associated with faecal contamination and inadequate sanitation.
In response, the local administration has advised residents to boil all drinking water and has begun disinfecting local water sources. Public health teams have also increased surveillance in nearby villages to prevent a potential spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched to pinpoint the exact source of contamination. Officials assure that remedial steps are underway to ensure the safety of drinking water and to avoid a repeat of such outbreaks. [KNT]
