Diarrhoea cases rise in Mumbai

Mumbai: An increase in the number of diarrhoea cases has been recorded by the civic-run and private health facilities in several parts of the city, especially the western, eastern and central suburbs like Khar, Kandivali, Mankhurd, Kurla, Govandi and Vikhroli.

According to the health officials, the reason is said to be the intake of contaminated water. In the first week of August, 200 patients complaining of diarrhoea were treated at the civic-run and private health facilities. In June, 844 diarrhoea cases and in July, 1,010 cases were recorded.

The BMC has issued an advisory to residential societies of the most affected areas about taking precautions like consuming boiled water and avoiding street food.

According to a senior BMC official, in the next few days, the number of patients suffering from the diarrhoea is likely to increase. A large number of patients suffering from diarrhoea visiting the hospitals and clinics complain of maladies like fever, cold, cough and sore throat due to contaminated water.

According to Dr Mini Khetrapal, head of department of disease control, “In July, 1,010 cases of diarrhoea were reported. In the next few days, the number of patients suffering from diarrhoea is likely to go up.” “Consuming uncovered food and contaminated water can cause diarrhoea and several infections, the BMC repeatedly kept alerting people for drinking boiled water, ” she added. Water-borne diseases primarily spread through contaminated water. A person falls sick by drinking polluted water either directly or by use of such water in cooking and washing. Eating spoilt food can also cause severe stomach infection.

Dr Avinash Supe, director, major BMC hospitals said, “In the month of June-July, there was a rise in diarrhoea, due to the consumption of contaminated water. People should take cognisance when symptoms like for vomiting and dysentery are noted,” he said.

Precautions to take

According to medicos, contaminated water can cause diarrhoea. Due to infected water, patients also suffer from stomach disorders, vomiting and dysentery. These symptoms are visible after four to five hours of after drinking contaminated water. Vomiting and dysentery reduces the water content in the body.