A district administration medical team led by a medical officer was dispatched to Darnamtlang village, located about 6 km west of Lawngtlai town in south Mizoram's Lawngtlai district, following the death of a 53-year-old man and illness of seven others in a suspected localised outbreak of gastroenteritis, district health officials said on Saturday.
Incident Details
Officials reported that Zeria (53) died due to suspected diarrhoea or gastroenteritis in June, causing panic in the village. Four patients have been admitted to Bungtlang South Primary Health Centre (PHC) for treatment.
Cholera Ruled Out
Lawngtlai district Senior Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lalmuanawma Jongte stated that while cholera was initially suspected, it was ruled out based on the symptoms exhibited by the patients. The medical team is closely monitoring the situation, and medicines have been sent to the village. Steps have also been taken to send samples for laboratory testing in Aizawl.
Village Profile
Darnamtlang village comprises 115 households with a population of approximately 540. It falls under the jurisdiction of Bungtlang South PHC.
Official Appeal
Lawngtlai Deputy Commissioner Donny Lalruatsanga appealed to residents not to panic, assuring that medical officers are working diligently to prevent further spread of the illness.
Previous Cholera Outbreak
The district had experienced a cholera outbreak last November and December in border areas adjoining Myanmar and Bangladesh, as well as in the neighbouring Siaha district. That outbreak resulted in 10 deaths—eight in Lawngtlai and two in Siaha—linked to infections among individuals involved in border trade with Myanmar.
