GUNTUR: In a swift response to a concerning diarrhoea outbreak, District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) K. Vijayalakshmi announced on Wednesday that a staggering 3,202 households across Guntur’s affected areas have been meticulously surveyed by 50 dedicated health teams. This extensive operation is part of a broader strategy to implement crucial preventive measures and control the disease’s spread, as detailed in a recent press statement.
Following a high-level review meeting led by the District Collector, where specific directives were issued to nodal officers, comprehensive awareness campaigns are now in full swing. These efforts span key localities including Balaji Nagar, Nehru Nagar, Ramireddy Thota, Yadava Bazaar, Seetharam Nagar, Pragati Nagar, and Sampath Nagar. The diligent health teams are not only identifying residents exhibiting diarrhoea symptoms but are also actively engaging in public education, distributing essential medicines, and providing ORS packets to those in need. To date, 11 individuals with diarrhoea and four with fever have been promptly identified and referred to local hospitals for care. Complementing these medical efforts, the Guntur Municipal Corporation is ensuring a supply of safe drinking water to the impacted communities while simultaneously undertaking large-scale sanitation drives to curb further transmission.
The Government General Hospital has been at the forefront of treating patients, reporting 185 diarrhoea cases between September 17 and 24. Currently, 104 patients are receiving treatment, while 81 have been successfully discharged. Encouragingly, 8 of the most recently admitted patients have already made a full recovery. However, the situation remains dynamic, with 17 new cases reported on September 23 and 24 alone.
Diagnostic efforts have revealed the specific pathogens at play: out of 168 stool samples collected, 13 tested positive – three for Vibrio, one for Shigella, and nine for E. coli. Furthermore, 163 drinking water samples were meticulously analyzed to pinpoint potential sources of contamination. Officials have reiterated their commitment, assuring the public that every possible measure is being diligently pursued to prevent the wider spread of these water-borne illnesses.