SRINAGAR: At least 15 individuals have been affected by a gastroenteritis outbreak in Kewa village of Qazigund in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said on Monday.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kulgam, Dr Saba Wani, confirmed that 15 cases of gastroenteritis have been reported in the area.
“Among them, two are admitted at PHC Qazigund and are about to be discharged,” Dr Wani said.
She added, “I personally visited PHC Qazigund; all the patients are stable.”
“Gastroenteritis is a seasonal outbreak due to the heatwave. People should boil water for at least twenty minutes before use and maintain cleanliness, especially around water bodies,” she advised.
Regarding the death of a mother-daughter duo in the village, Dr Wani clarified that their deaths were not caused by gastroenteritis but due to other underlying issues, including cancer and kidney failure.
Rafiq Ahmad Bhat, Assistant Executive Engineer at Jal Shakti, Qazigund division, said that the water supply from Jal Shakti in the area is safe for use and that there is no cause for panic. “We are supplying drinking water through our scheme, which is safe for human consumption,” he said.
“The water supply is also reaching other villages, but no similar cases have been reported there,” he added, noting that some residents are using tubewell water as well.
Continuous testing of the water supply is underway, and further samples from tubewells have been sent for analysis. (KNO)
