75 cases of diarrhoea, Mohali health department advises caution

The Mohali health department has started an extensive survey of all flood-affected areas under its jurisdiction after reports of the spread of diarrhoea and cholera surfaced on Monday.

According to the information a total of 75 people suffering from diarrhoea have so far been admitted to Civil Hospital in Phase-6. Out of the 75, at least 15 patients have tested positive for cholera.

According to officials, Balongi and Badmajra in Kharar are among two of the worst-affected areas in the district.
Mohali Civil surgeon, Dr Mahesh Kumar Ahuja, said that due to the intake of contaminated water, cases of diarrhoea and cholera had surfaced in some places in the district, but the teams of the health department, along with district administration, were working tirelessly to check the spread of the diseases.

Ahuja asked the people to take necessary precautions and drink boiled water and eat fully cooked food. He said that food and drinks should be covered and kept clean. The civil surgeon also said that medical camps are already functional at various places in the district and health workers were collecting water samples.

Asha workers were going door to door to distribute chlorine tablets and ORS packets. Senior health officials are visiting vulnerable places in their respective areas and giving necessary instructions along with monitoring the medical arrangements.

Ahuja appealed to the people to cooperate with the health department in preventing these diseases and take necessary precautions. He said the door-to-door dengue survey is continuing for the last many days. Health workers are checking coolers, refrigerators, trays, pots, empty tires, boxes and other items so that mosquitoes do not breed.

Apart from this, black oil is also being poured into the stagnant water and mosquito repellent is being sprayed as per requirement.

He said that if any person was suffering from fever, they should immediately go to the nearest hospital and get checked. Cholera, diarrhoea, dengue, malaria and all other diseases are treated absolutely free in government health institutions. For any information, the health department’s helpline number 104 can be contacted.