Indian Express
14 April 2010
Chandigarh, India

Doctors warn the situation may worsen if the city gets a spell of rain in the coming days
With close to 30 diarrhoea and gastroenteritis cases being reported from the city hospitals every day, more than 1,500 cases have been reported this year including 300 cases that have come to light this month.

Doctors warn the situation could worsen further if the city gets a spell of rain.

The teams of the UT Health department are inspecting various slums and colonies in the city to see the sanitation and drinking water conditions.

“We have visited areas such as Colony Number 4, 5 and Sector 26 and created awareness among people so that the cases are reported in time. This is the season when diarrhoea, dysentery and gastro cases become common,” said a senior official of the Health department said.

April has always been high on the gastro cases as approximately 4,000 cases were recorded in 2008 and 3,000 in 2009. 2010, too, seems to be following a similar trend, said a doctor.

“Rainfall could bring more gastro infections. The condition could worsen in May with gastro infections aggravating and turning into cholera. We advise gastro patients to cut down on street food, cut fruits and vegetables from the vendors and being watchful of the water they consume,” said a doctor.

The diarrhoea and gastro cases are reported in the hospitals and clinics round the year and they peak in April, May and June.

The year 2010 so far has seen over 1,500 cases.

Precautions

• Drink clean and chlorinated water
• Maintain personal hygiene
• Wash hands before and after taking meals
• Keep yourself hydrated but do not consume cut fruits and vegetables from the roadside
• If fever, dysentery and vomiting persists, consult doctor