Bandipore/Srinagar, Aug 30: The gastroenteritis is fast spreading to other districts of the Valley with fresh cases being reported from north Kashmir Monday even as the epidemic continues to spread in worst hit central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
 At least 50 persons were admitted in various hospitals here due to outbreak of gastroenteritis in Chittabanday Block of north Kashmir Bandipore district. The disease had broken due to consumption of contaminated drinking water.
 Confirming the outbreak of the disease, the Block Medical Officer, Dr Bashir Ahmad Malik said around 50 cases of gastrointestinal disorder, fever and diarrhea were reported from the area. Eight of the infected patients were referred to Srinagar as their condition was deteriorating fast, Dr Malik said.
 Sources said the patients had acute cholera like symptoms. “The samples have been sent for tests. Everything will be cleared once the report comes,” sources said.
 As panic gripped the people several teams of doctors and specialists were rushed to the affected areas to assess the situation.
 Locals alleged the main reason for the outbreak of the disease was dumping of waste material by Army and locals in open.
 Residents complained that they were receiving stinking water supply for the past five months.
 ‘‘When people started to fall sick, we complained to PHE authorities but to no avail they did not pay any heed to us,’’ said one Ghulam Muhammad.
 “The latrine erected by the Army open into the stream which is the main causes for spread of the disease” said Abdul Hameed Lala.
Central Kashmir 
 More than 100 cases of gastroenteritis and patients with cholera like symptoms were reported from different villages of Budgam today.
 Fresh cases of gastroenteritis were reported from Dobipora village of the district, which has been the epicenter of the disease. Since yesterday more than 31 cases were received from the village in different hospitals of the districts.
 “The patients were suffering from acute gastroenteritis and mixed infections. They were treated and discharged,” said the CMO, Budgam, Dr Abdullah.   
 Elsewhere in the district more than 80 cases of mixed infection and gastroenteritis were received in different hospitals.
 However, the CMO said the situation was improving fast. We have launched a vigorous awareness campaign and are moving from door to door to educate people,” he said.
 Authorities Monday directed dismantling of latrines along the river banks in Budgam following the outbreak of Cholera and that has so far affected more than 2200 people in central Kashmir’s district alone.
 Reports said Deputy Commissioner, Muhammad Rafi, carried out an extensive tour of effected villages to asses the situation He announced that 23 health institutions were being made functional round the clock and five mobile medical teams fanned out across district Budgam to combat the disease.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST