Diarrhoea outbreak claims 4 lives in Gurla

Four people have died, and eight others are in critical condition due to a severe diarrhoea outbreak in Gurla mandal of Vizianagaram, affecting over 200 individuals as of Wednesday. The deceased have been identified as Sariki Pentayya (65), Thodranki Ramulamma (60), Gummadi Pydamma (60), and Kalisetti Seethamma (50), all of whom reportedly passed away within a 24-hour period.
District Collector B.R. Ambedkar addressed the situation, stating, “While the outbreak is primarily due to water contamination, it is important to note that the deceased individuals had underlying health conditions that were exacerbated by the disease.” The District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO), Bhaskar, further elaborated, revealing that four of the deaths were attributed to non- diarrhoea-related causes such as septic shock, chronic kidney disease, cardiac arrest, and acute exacerbation of asthma. “These underlying issues made them particularly vulnerable.”
Ambedkar emphasised the contagious nature of diarrhoea, urging residents to maintain proper hygiene and avoid using common washrooms.
During a visit to Gurla on Wednesday, he met with affected families who expressed concerns over their recent consumption of fish and meat curry during local festivities as a possible source of the outbreak. “We need to be cautious about the food we consume and ensure that it is properly cooked,” he said.
In response to the crisis, the Medical and Health Department has set up a medical camp staffed by 40 personnel, including 10 doctors. However, the severity of the situation was underscored by reports that some Asha workers, who were treating patients, have also fallen ill. “It’s a challenging situation for our healthcare workers, and we need to support them,” Ambedkar said.
The district administration has identified water contamination in five private borewells as the primary cause of the outbreak. To address this, measures have been initiated to test groundwater samples and ensure a safe drinking water supply. “We have shut down all borewells and pipelines in the village and are providing chlorinated water to households,” Ambedkar confirmed.
Local MLA Kala Venkatrao and Zilla Parishad Chairman Majji Srinivasa Rao visited the affected area, stressing the importance of sanitation and proper drinking water facilities. Venkatrao stated, “We must work together to improve our infrastructure and ensure such outbreaks do not happen again.”
Dr. D. V. G. Shankara Rao, Chairman of the AP ST Commission, also visited the diarrhoea victims at Vizianagaram Maharaja Hospital. “We need a multi-faceted approach to tackle this issue and safeguard our communities,” he urged.