Diarrhea Outbreak: Public Health Emergency Declared in Puducherry

Public health emergency has been declared in Puducherry’s Karaikal region in Tamil Nadu, India, in the wake of a diarrhea outbreak.

In a statement, the district administration said schools will remain closed from Monday till Wednesday to clean up the water tanks in the surrounding areas.

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‘In the last few days, about 1,600 people had diarrhea and stomach pain-related ailments and were admitted to hospitals in Karaikal.’

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The situation, according to the district health department, is worrying as cholera has also been detected along with diarrhea in many patients who are currently hospitalized.

On Monday, Karaikal District Collector Mohammad Mansoon said: "We have taken the samples of several cases and have found the presence of Vibrio Cholerae. Given the rising number of cases consequent health emergency declared, we have invoked Sec 144(2) of CrPC."

He added that all restaurants, hotels and eateries have been directed to provide boiled RO-treated drinking water, adding that the establishments were also directed to clean and chlorinate all water tanks.

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Waterborne diseases are communicable diseases caused by diseases causing microorganisms in contaminated water. It is more prevalent during floods and in tsunami affected areas.

The administration said that the amount of chlorination required is around 0.5 mg per liter of water.

Mansoon has directed revenue, food and health inspectors to conduct surprise checks at the eateries, restaurants and hotels, as well as wedding halls and clubs, to ensure that proper hygiene is maintained.

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Diarrhea is one of the most common causes of dehydration and death in children. Diarrhea may be acute or chronic depending on the duration of symptoms.

According to the district administration, around 1,600 people had diarrhea and stomach pain-related ailments and were admitted to hospitals in the past few days.

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Source-IANS