1. Diarrhoea outbreak near Gudiyatham town
2. Report of multiple diarrhoea cases in Gudiyatham area.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : An elderly man, aged 80, tragically passed away while 20 others were rushed to a health centre and Government Taluk Hospital in Gudiyatham town, Vellore, after falling ill with diarrhoea on Saturday.
The deceased was identified as K. Balaraman, a resident of Keel Chendathur village under the Pernambut panchayat union in Vellore. Mr. Balaraman, who had preexisting health conditions including renal failure and liver infection, was admitted to the Upgraded Primary Healthcare Centre (UPHC) in Mailpatti village on Friday evening for treatment of diarrhoea. Currently, 18-20 patients from the affected village are undergoing treatment for the same condition, with water samples being collected for testing to determine the cause of the outbreak, as stated by Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi.
Accompanied by K. Subbulakshmi, Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) in Gudiyatham, and S. Maran Babu, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the taluk hospital, Collector Ms. Subbulaxmi visited the affected patients at the government hospital in Gudiyatham on Saturday.
The health officials reported that three individuals from Chendathur village were admitted to the UPHC in Mailpatti village for diarrhoea on Friday afternoon, sparking a continuous influx of patients from the village seeking treatment. Mr. Balaraman, one of the patients admitted, tragically passed away at home after receiving treatment at the centre.
A total of approximately 46 cases of diarrhoea have been recorded in four streets of the affected village, with the majority receiving treatment at the health centre, five at the Gudiyatham government hospital, and one individual, a 60-year-old man with underlying health conditions, being referred to the Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore. No new admissions were reported at the hospital on Saturday.
Preliminary investigations by health officials point to two potential causes for the outbreak. Firstly, contamination of food during a communal non-vegetarian feast organised by the village temple on Thursday, attended by devotees from neighbouring districts, is being considered. Secondly, water contamination from leaky pipelines or poor hygiene practices at the Over Head Tank (OHT) maintained by the panchayat is also under scrutiny.
The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) has collected water samples from the tank and taps in the village for testing, while a household survey is being conducted to determine what affected families consumed in recent days.
To address the situation, seven doctors, trained nursing staff, technicians, and other medical personnel have been deployed in the village and health centre. Precautionary measures, such as the use of tractors for water supply, and thorough cleaning of the OHT, sump, and pump room in the village are also being implemented.
Overall, the health authorities are working diligently to contain the outbreak and ensure the well-being of the affected individuals in the community..
– Dead cases reported near Gudiyatham town
– Diarrhoea outbreak near Gudiyatham town.
