Srinagar, Sept 5: Central Kashmir’s cholera hit Budgam district is facing a major threat, as  authorities have detected that hundreds of  laborers from outside the state working in brick kilns  are one of the “potential sources” for outbreak of the deadly disease as they defecate in open near streams, polluting the water bodies.

 Though the health authorities were able to control the spread of epidemic, they fear the threat had not vanished and government should come to rescue of people.

 There are more than 250 brick kilns in the entire districts with thousands of laborers working in them, said an RTI activist, Dr Muzaffar Bhat.

 “Since these laborers live in temporary sheds near the kilns and don’t have proper latrine facility, they usually defecate in open near streams which pollutes the water. It is one of the major reasons for the outbreak of water borne diseases in the area,” said the Chief Medical Officer, Budgam, Dr Abdullah.
 However, he added that in some areas, they had dismantled the latrines constructed by the laborers near the stream.

 But is dismantling the latrines a permanent solution and could it guarantee end of a potential threat? The CMO evaded a direct answer. “There are so many brick kilns and scores of laborers working in them. We are working with district administration and trying to ensure that people become health  conscious,” he said.

 Dr Muzaffar said the cholera, gastroenteritis and other infectious diseases, which had spread due to contamination of water, had broken out in low lying villages wherein the brick kilns were located.

 “It is a clear indication that improper sanitation due to defecation in open by laborers is the source of contamination of water resources. If a brick kiln owner invests huge sum on his business, it is his responsibility to ensure proper sanitation facilities to the laborers,” he said.

 The Block Medical Officer, Beerwah, Dr Fayaz Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that the defecation in open by the laborers was always a “potential threat” for spread of infectious diseases.

 More than 100 cases of cholera and over 2200 cases of gastroenteritis and other diseases were reported from the district, which was the epicenter of the epidemic, for two weeks since August 16. Health and district authorities had to launch massive campaign to prevent spread of the diseases. Of 270 Budgam villages more than 56 villages were hit.

 Sources said inadequate supply of safe drinking water to many villages was another reason for people falling ill.

 “Of 71 filtration plants in the district only 22 are functional. At least 60 to 70 percent of population was not receiving safe drinking water,” sources said.
 Besides, in some villages drains directly end up in the streams and nallahs wherefrom the contaminated water is lifted by the Public Health Engineering department and stored in reservoirs for supply to villages before treating it with bleaching powder.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 5 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 5 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST