Spectre of gastro epidemic stares Kalyan in the face

“We thought it was just a tummy upset and tried home remedies but her condition went on worsening,” said Ramoshi.

This is not an isolated case. There were six cases in the area undergoing treatment at private clinics for gastro. In Khade-Gholivili, residents of Saibaba Nagar are the worst affected.

“We thought it was food poisoning…so many people werecomplaining of vomiting and loose motions. But now we know it is gastro and are not too worried,” said Uttam Bhoir (28).

He does not know that the disease can kill. He doesn’t even know it’s water borne. The condition on the western side is no better. Here Bhawani Nagar tops the list with four undergoing treatment for gastro.

Additional Medical Health Officer Dr M D Kulkarni, however, said there was nothing to worry. “We have not come across cluster cases in any of these areas. There maybe the occasional case here and there but I don’t think we have an epidemic on hand,” he said and added that the health department had alerted the water supply department.

While admitting that cases maybe getting referred to private clinics, he said that private practitioners were duty-bound to report the incidence of more than five cases in one area to the civic administration.