Srinagar, Sep 24: In a matter of grave concern for health officials in Kashmir Valley, at least 238 patients were diagnosed with cholera in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district with Public Health Authorities saying that all the water samples collected from the areas are “grossly contaminated” and tested positive for fecal matter.
 “We have treated over 500 patients for different water borne diseases in Baramulla and 238 patients were declared as Cholera cases after clinical suspicion by the medicos in various district hospitals. They mostly live in Tangmarg, Kunzer and Pattan areas,” sources told Greater Kashmir. The clinical suspicion emerged from the Microbiological analysis by the public health officials in the district.
 Officials at Public Health Laboratory said the water samples taken from different sources were found “grossly contaminated” with fecal matter.
 “The people in the district are consuming contaminated water and are facing threat of water-borne diseases including cholera as tap water contamination has gone beyond the permissible limits due to presence of fecal matter,” a test results from the lab have revealed.
 Following the outbreak of cholera, the health authorities had sent water samples from different water sources for analysis on Saturday. “Total five samples were taken from different water sources of the district including Ferozpora, Qazipora and Kheypora reservoirs and consumer points. All the samples were tested positive for the fecal contamination,” State Surveillance Officer, IDSP, Dr Rehana said. 
 While the outbreak of cholera emerged concern for the health officials, the ‘callous’ approach of Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department also came to fore as the reservoirs from which the water samples were tested positive are run by PHE. However, PHE Chief Engineer, Ghulam Rasool expressed ignorance about the pollution. “All the reservoir under my department are clean. Further you can ask to the concerned executive engineer,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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