A severe diarrhoea outbreak linked to contaminated drinking water has struck the Bhagirathpura locality of Indore, leading to multiple fatalities and hospitalisations, with officials providing conflicting numbers on the death toll.
Conflicting Death Toll and Official Statements
On Friday, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava stated he had received information about 10 fatalities connected to the outbreak. However, he clarified that the official data from the health department, as of now, records four confirmed deaths. Residents of the area have made more alarming claims, alleging that as many as 14 people, including a six-month-old infant, have died, though these reports await verification from authorities.
When questioned about potential cholera spread based on preliminary water test reports, Mayor Bhargava directed inquiries to the health department. Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. Madhav Prasad Hasani confirmed on Thursday that laboratory tests from a city medical college had identified contamination in the locality's drinking water supply. The contamination source was traced to a leakage in a main pipeline near a police outpost, at a spot where a toilet has been constructed.
Scale of the Outbreak and Response
The health impact has been widespread. Over the past nine days, more than 1,400 residents of Bhagirathpura have suffered symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea. A health department official, citing the situation until Thursday night, reported that 272 patients were admitted to area hospitals. Of these, 71 have been discharged, leaving 201 still under care. Alarmingly, 32 of these hospitalised patients are in intensive care units.
Authorities have mobilised a response. Indore Collector Shivam Verma stated that 13 additional patients were recently admitted, and survey teams are conducting door-to-door checks for symptoms. Chlorine tablets are being distributed widely as a preventive measure. Collector Verma noted that while the initial report confirms water contamination, more information is being gathered, and the number of new patients has shown a decreasing trend.
Ongoing Monitoring and Information Gap
CMHO Dr. Hasani emphasised on Friday that senior doctors and district administration officials are continuously monitoring the situation in hospitals to ensure proper patient treatment. However, an information gap persists. The CMHO admitted he had not yet received the detailed water sample reports and would provide updates later. He also stated the death toll would be revised if additional data and evidence emerge.
This incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining robust water infrastructure and having transparent, swift communication channels during public health emergencies. The discrepancy in reported deaths highlights the challenges in real-time data collection, while the scale of the illness points to the severe consequences of contaminated water supply on community health.
