GULMI, April 28: The entire village of Dajakot, Musikot Municipality-4, in Gulmi has been suffering from a diarrhoea outbreak since Wednesday evening. The outbreak gone haywire is yet to be brought under control even after four days have passed since it began.
According to Hari Chhantel, a local, 160 people from around 85 households have reportedly taken ill. Chhantel also said that four patients are being treated at the district hospital and one in Chitwan. Phool Kumari Singjal, who is receiving treatment in Chitwan, is reported to be unconscious and critically ill. All other patients are being treated at the village's health posts and local schools.
Diarrhea outbreak in Gulmi village brought under control
With the almost entire village bed-ridden, Dajakot is facing a shortage of medical professionals and essential materials for treatment. Due to the shortage of beds at the health institutions, patients are bound to lie on the floor and health professionals are arriving from other health posts and hospitals from in and outside the district.
With the growing number of patients, the municipality has stopped bringing drinking water from the nearby Nurkhola River, the suspected source of the outbreak. Musikot Municipality's Mayor Somnath Sapkota informed of the feud regarding the drinking water from the said river, stored in a tank five kilometers away from Dajakot. “We are not aware of the reason behind the feud, but we suspect it to be related to the water's quality”, Sapkota said.
Sapkota also informed that a sample of the river water has been sent to Palpa for lab testing. Dirking Water and Sanitation Division office of Gulmi has confirmed the presence of coliform bacteria in the water from the aforementioned source.
As informed by the chief administrative officer of the municipality, 12 professionals are currently employed under the leadership of the health coordinator, Dhal Bahadur GC.
