A week has passed since the initial reports of a diarrhoea outbreak in New Rajarajeswari Peta, Vijayawada. Residents and authorities are now eagerly awaiting the results from water samples sent for urgent microbiological testing last Saturday. Analysts anticipate these crucial reports will become available within the next two days, shedding light on the source of the contamination.
As of Tuesday, the total number of individuals affected by diarrhoea has climbed to 333. Currently, 34 patients are receiving medical care, with 26 admitted to the new Government General Hospital (GGH) and the remainder at the old GGH. Thankfully, NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha confirmed that “All patients are stable and no deaths have been reported so far.” He attributed this positive outcome to the prompt and consistent ‘tracking and testing’ efforts by health officials.
Dr. Rajesh Bathini, a consultant in medical gastroenterology at Manipal Hospital, Vijayawada, provided insight into why such outbreaks often coincide with the monsoon season. He explained that the combination of high humidity and intermittent rainfall creates ideal conditions for the rapid proliferation of food and water contaminants, leading to a spike in gastrointestinal infections.
Dr. Bathini further elaborated that monsoon-related diarrhoea can stem from a variety of infections, including viral gastroenteritis, bacterial gastroenteritis, and parasitic infections like giardiasis and amebiasis, as well as H. pylori. Understanding these potential causes is vital for effective prevention and treatment.
To safeguard health during the rainy season, Dr. Bathini offered essential advice: always use boiled, filtered, or commercially bottled water for consumption. It’s also crucial to avoid street foods, raw salads, and chutneys, which are prone to contamination. Maintaining strict hand hygiene by washing hands thoroughly before eating and peeling all fruits before consumption are simple yet highly effective precautions.