Water borne epidemic of gastroenteritis in Ghallour sub-centre of Jawalamukhi block, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India
Water borne epidemic of gastroenteritis in Ghallour sub-centre of Jawalamukhi block, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India
Blog Article
Background: On August 31, 2014, eighty cases of the gastroenteritis were reported in Ghallour sub-center area.We investigated the outbreak to identify the source, propose control, and preventive measures.Materials and Methods: We defined a case as occurrence of three or more watery stools with or without vomiting, w.e.f January 27, till February 2, 2014 in residents of Ghallour sub-center area of Jawalamukhi block.
We hypothesized it as a water borne outbreak.We determined age and sex specific attack rate.We collected information about personal history on age, sex, residence, and date of onset of symptom from case Chairs w/Table Set (3/CN) patient and established line list.We collected nine stool samples/rectal swabs from the cases; three pre and four post chlorination water samples and sent them for microbiological testing.We mapped water supply pipelines of the area and reviewed the water chlorination record.
Results: We identified 390 cases in Gameboy 16 villages under the sub center.The overall attack rate was 8% with a range of 1.3% to 36%.The cases patients were reported from all age groups and both the genders with the youngest student; 1-year old to the oldest one as 88 years.Two-third of the cases reported vomiting with some complaining of pain abdomen.
Villages like Jathman, Khattni, Rajol Patta, Kohara has 100% case patients of loose motions while villages like Dhroli, (100%), Sasan (63%) and Ghallour (50%), etc., have combined symptoms of loose motions and vomiting.No fatality was reported.Escherichia coli was detected in the samples from water samples.Records of chlorination were not properly maintained.
Conclusion / Recommendation: The outbreak was associated due to contamination of water at the source in Jolly Khad.Regular treatment of the water needs to be done right at the source before being lifted.