A 14-year-old girl died on Sunday of gastroenteritis and 18 others were affected at coastal Kansarabadadandua village under Mahakalapada block. The deceased was identified as Basanti Manna, daughter of Gouri Manna. Of the affected persons, a sizeable number are women and children, said sources.
A medical team was sent to the affected area to access the situation and provide timely treatment to the patients. Steps are being taken to disinfect the drinking water system available in locality so as to prevent the disease from assuming an epidemic proportion, said CDMO Shantilata Sharma.
Consuming of unhygienic and contaminated drinking water by the locals is said to be the reason behind the outbreak of gastroenteritis.
According to sources, during the full moon day, the saline water had entered into the wells and ponds in the village and rendered the water unfit. With several tube wells lying defunct, the locals have been using the water.