Poonch: At least 100 people have been taken ill due to sudden outbreak of gastroenteritis in many villages of Mendhar Tehsil of Poonch district on Monday.

Officials said that the disease outbreak has triggered panic in Gohlad, Harni, Ari, Kalaban Balakote and Dharana Gursai and scores of people including women and children have been admitted to Sub District Hospital Mendhar since yesterday after they complained of diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The number of diarrhoea patients visiting Sub-District Hospital, Mendhar tehsil is increasing, they said. 

The health authorities are unable to deal with the huge number of diarrhoea patients in the 30-bedded Sub-District Hospital, Mendhar, locals said.

They alleged that the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has so far failed to repair the leakage in water pipes passing through these areas despite repeated requests from the people over past several years as a result of which the residents used contaminated water.

The water is posing a serious threat to the lives of Mendhar residents and the overall responsibility lies with the PHE department, they said.

Dr Praviaz Ahmed Khan  Block Medical Officer,  Mendhar said confirmed that over 95 cases of gastroenteritis have been so far reported in the health facility.

“We provided them all the necessary medical assistance,” the officer said. 

“We have taken all possible measures to contain the epidemic. Doctors and paramedical staff have been directed to remain available in hospitals and PHCs round the clock.

The  Block Medical Officer advised people to use boiled and safe drinking water. 

“In this season we usually see outbreak of such diseases due to unhygienic conditions in the areas and we have also advised the people to keep their surroundings clean,” the Block Medical Officer said.

Meanwhile, SDM Mendhar Dr Sahil Jandyal said that a team of doctors has been constituted who will visit the villages to assess the situation and actual cause of the outbreak. (GNS)