Gastro outbreak in Navapura, one dead

Vadodara: Alarmed by the outbreak of gastroenteritis cases in parts of Navapura, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) stopped water supply in the area. Two deaths this week had spread panic, but it has come to light that one of the deceased had no diarrhoea or vomiting.
Navapura area had been witnessing a steady trickle of diarrhoea and vomiting cases since the last few days.Data shared by the VMC reveals that 55 cases of diarrhoea and vomiting have come to light in the area. Of these, 13 patients were hospitalised.
One of the initial cases was of a four-year-old girl Natasha Kahar who was suffering from acute diarrhoea and vomiting and died on Wednesday. VMC officials alleged that Kahar’s case got complicated as she was not admitted to a hospital in time despite medical advice.
“A local physician had advised the family to admit her to a hospital, but they did not do so. Her condition worsened and she was eventually rushed to the SSG Hospital, but she was declared dead there,” claimed VMC medical officer (health) Dr Mukesh Vaidya.
The other death was that of a 70-year-old man Shantu on Wednesday. Officials claimed that Shantu had multiple health complications including diabetes and high blood pressure. He had given up food since a week and VMC health officials had advised that she should be hospitalised. This was not done and he died despite having no diarrhoea or vomiting.
Officials said that the water supply to the area had been discontinued and tankers were pressed into action after water contamination came to light. The water supply lines to the affected localities of Mehboobpura, Godadiyavas, Saibaba temple and Kahar Mohalla had been disconnected. A major exercise has been started to identify any leaks in the water supply system before resuming the supply. Manholes and drainage lines in the area were also cleaned.
VMC sources said that out of the 40 samples that were collected in Navapura, seven were found contaminated. In all, out of 500 samples collected in the city, 20 were found contaminated.