ISLAMABAD: Over 100 suspected cases of typhoid linked to contaminated drinking water have been reported in Gujarat’s capital, Gandhinagar, over the past five days, prompting administrative action, health surveys, and urgent repair work by civic authorities, Indian media reported on Sunday.
According to officials, most patients are being treated at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital.
As of Saturday, the hospital had treated 104 children for suspected typhoid.
Nineteen patients have been discharged so far, while nine new children were admitted, taking the total number of patients currently under treatment at the hospital to 94.
Several other patients, including adults, are receiving treatment at private hospitals or recovering at home.
Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Mita Parikh said the condition of all admitted patients is stable.
She added that typhoid cases generally follow a 15-day cycle and cautioned that new cases could continue to surface over the next two weeks.
However, she said the situation is expected to stabilize following corrective measures taken by the authorities.
Sewage leak
Officials traced the outbreak to a sewage leak near a drinking water pipeline in Adivada village.
Contaminated water from this source was supplied to nearby areas, including Sectors 24, 26, 27, and 29.
Residents of these localities had complained of foul-smelling and visibly dirty water for nearly a week before the number of suspected typhoid cases rose sharply.
Water samples collected from the affected areas were found unsafe for consumption, leading to immediate repairs of the damaged pipeline and the collection of fresh samples for testing.
Complaints ‘not addressed’
The Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation has also launched door-to-door health surveys to identify additional cases and prevent further spread of the infection.
Local residents alleged that their repeated complaints about contaminated water were not addressed in time, forcing many families to rely on bottled water.
In response, the civic body has advised residents to drink boiled water, consume home-cooked food, and use chlorine tablets to disinfect water storage tanks.
Amit Shah reviews situation
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi visited Gandhinagar Civil Hospital to review treatment arrangements and said a special team of 22 doctors has been deployed.
Union Home Minister and Gandhinagar MP Amit Shah has also reviewed the situation and directed officials to ensure speedy treatment, pipeline repairs, and continuous monitoring of the outbreak.
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