Cholera-like outbreak in Barwani; 1 dead, 12 affected

Panic prevailed in Bori village, about 23 kilometres from Barwani district headquarters on Wednesday, after an eight-year-old boy died and at least 12 villagers complained of vomiting and stomach ailments.

Panic prevailed in Bori village, about 23 kilometres from Barwani district headquarters on Wednesday, after an eight-year-old boy died and at least 12 villagers complained of vomiting and stomach ailments.

Ailing villagers at Barwani district hospital on Wednesday. (HT photo)

Stool tests of the patients, done on Wednesday, confirmed cholera-like symptoms. All the ailing villagers have been admitted to the district hospital and are under doctor’s observation.

Barwani district chief medical and health officer (CMHO) Dr Rajni Dabar said Rel Singh, 8, died on Tuesday after he complained of similar symptoms. “All patients are out of danger,” said Dr Dabar, adding that drinking contaminated water or consuming stale food may be the reason behind the disease.

“Teams have been sent to Walbara Faliya of village Bori to examine the source of water for consumption in the village. They will collect water samples to ascertain the reason behind the disease,” said Dr Dabar. There is no hand pump at Walbara Faliya and wells have almost dried up.

After the death of the child, one Rami Bai, who lost her 20-day-old baby girl while undergoing treatment at the district hospital, claimed that her child showed the same symptoms. “I was not able to feed her. She may have died due to the same disease. However, Dr Dabar dismissed her allegation, claiming that the baby died due to aspiration.