The number of people reportedly falling ill due to suspected water contamination in Chitradurga’s Kavadigarahatti area has gone up to 206, since August 1, officials familiar with the matter said, adding that 59 people have been discharged, while 142 are still being treated.
However, the officials are yet to ascertain the cause for the contamination of water.
According to the officials, there has been a decrease in the number of people falling ill since Saturday last week, with 11 more cases reported on Sunday.
So far, five people have died due to the consumption of contaminated water. The deceased include Parvathamma (75), Rudrappa (50), Manjula (23), Raghu (27) and Praveen (28).
Meanwhile, a team of infectious disease experts is in Chitradurga to probe cases of vomiting and diarrhoea reported among people due to consumption of the contaminated water.
The team is collecting all the required information including the total number of people affected, details of those who visited the village, statements of those being treated, and food consumed, a health department official said.
The team of experts includes epidemic intelligence officer of Udupi Prashanth Bhat, epidemiologists Subhash, Krishnamurthy, Nishchitha, Shukla, and microbiologists Veena Vijayaran and Monica, among others.
{{/usCountry}}The team of experts includes epidemic intelligence officer of Udupi Prashanth Bhat, epidemiologists Subhash, Krishnamurthy, Nishchitha, Shukla, and microbiologists Veena Vijayaran and Monica, among others.
{{/usCountry}}Last week, a report by forensic science laboratory (FSL) showed that “no poisonous content” was found in the water samples.
According to the report, Vibrio cholera species of bacteria was found in the culture. The biological analysis of samples collected from the dead bodies of three people also revealed that the water supplied between July 30 and August 1 was “unfit for consumption.”
Meanwhile, district health officer (DHO), Chitradurga, R Ranganath, said the water samples have been sent for chemical analysis at an accredited laboratory in Bengaluru.
“We are expecting the report in two-three days,” Thirumalesh, an officer from the health department said.