Bad water management coupled with acute shortage of drinking water has unleashed gastroenteritis on epidemic proportions during the rainy season in Talagada, Kantijharagada and Upargada villages under Korei block in Jajpur district.
At least 50 persons, including 20 children, are undergoing treatment in the primary health centers and district Government hospital. Due to shortage of beds, many patients are undergoing treatment on the verandas of the hospitals.
Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr PK Mohanty said, "At least 40 patients of the area are now undergoing treatment in the hospital. A team of doctors visited the gastro-affected villages and collected stool and blood samples for further test."
"We are treating all the patients. The uncovered wells and water tanks in the villages are the main reason behind the spread of water borne diseases and viral fever. They are being disinfected," he added.
A large number people of rural areas are also seriously exposed to the danger as no safe drinking water is supplied. The rampant water-borne disease is spreading its tentacles as gastroenteritis has become a recurring problem in these villages.
The villagers feared that the number of gastroenteritis affected persons will be more if the authority will not provide proper medicines and treatments to the affected villagers.