Jammu, Aug 28: While the number of gastroenteritis patients in Doda has swallowed to over 1100, the epidemic has also reached to Banihal area of Ramban district where more than 500 patients have been affected so far.
As a huge number of patients continue to pour in at district hospital Doda and sub-district hospital Banihal, the civil and Army teams of doctors are having a tough time to handle the rush.
At least one woman has reportedly died of the disease in Doda so far.
With the continuous rush of the patients, the district hospital authorities have been forced to throw open the under-construction 200 bedded OPD block, sources said.
 The sources said that while teams of doctors have been sent to various parts of the district to advise people about preventive measures, senior officials from Health department are monitoring the exercise.
 Around 400 people have been affected in Banihal area of Ramban district, an official of Health department said on Saturday. He said that around 300 of them were provided immediate medicare at Banihal hospital, while 200 others cases were reported from various PHCs in the adjoining areas.
 Director Health, Jammu, Dr Jasbir Singh said the blood samples of the affected patients have been collected and it is clear that the basic source of the disease was consumption of contaminated water.
 Sources said the preliminary investigations have revealed the presence of fecal matter in water has led to the outbreak of the epidemic in the area. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal said that the situation was under control.

(Inputs from Sheikh Nasir and Muhammad Taskeen)

Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST