PATIALA: The diarrhoea outbreak in Alipur Arriyan, Patiala, has escalated with the death of a 60-year-old woman on Tuesday, bringing the toll to four. The total number of reported cases has surged to 106, with the health department confirming 21 new infections yesterday. This alarming increase has raised serious concerns about public health safety in the region.
Health officials have confirmed that the contaminated water supply is the primary culprit. Eight more water samples collected on Monday failed the potability test at the State Public Health Laboratory in Kharar. Crucially, all these failed samples, including water supplied through tankers by the Patiala municipal corporation, were found to be contaminated with bacteria. This follows an earlier round of testing where six out of 10 samples from the affected area had already shown contamination.
The municipal commissioner, Paramvir Singh, attributed the contamination to illegal water connections, which have caused leakages in six identified locations. He assured the public that water supply through the pipelines would only resume after samples are thoroughly verified to be potable, emphasizing the need to ensure the safety of drinking water before distribution.
Local authorities are intensifying efforts to contain the spread of the disease. Health teams are conducting door-to-door surveys to identify new cases and provide immediate treatment. The Patiala Civil Surgeon, Dr. Jagpalinder Singh, stated that treatment efforts are ongoing, and new health teams have been deployed to the affected areas. The deputy commissioner, Preeti Yadav, also visited the area and chaired a high-level meeting, forming a multi-agency committee to investigate the outbreak and coordinate containment efforts.
The situation has also drawn political attention, with local leaders demanding accountability from the government over the contaminated water supply and alleged failures in protecting public health. As the death toll rises and cases continue to mount, residents of Alipur Arriyan remain on edge, awaiting a permanent solution to their precarious water situation.
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