e.coli struck down Page workers

 
The samples tested by the Public Health Institute Laboratory (PHIL) showed the presence of the bacteria samples collected from the overhead tank of the factory. e.coli are generally found in fecal matter.

Narayana Hrudayalaya received the highest number of patients and doctors have confirmed that most of the workers had suffered from e.coli (Escherichia coli), a particular type of bacteria which causes vomiting, diarrhea, stomach burns and tiredness.

Although, the full report on the test will be out only on Tuesday, sources from the PHIL said that out of the three water samples given; only one sample was impure.

Confirming details on the cause of the patients’ sickness, Dr Shivaprasad, in charge of the medicine ICU at Narayana Hrudayalaya, said that they had tested stool samples and had conducted a culture test on them. “Of the eight to nine samples that we conducted the stool culture test, all proved positive with E Coli, which normally happens due to contaminated water," he said.

While most of the workers were discharged on Monday, 35 patients are still admitted in the hospital.

Two critical patients admitted in the ICU were shifted to the general ward on Monday.

Apparently, one patient, a 30-year-old woman suffered from cerebral edema, a rare occurrence where the patient suffers a swelling in the brain and severe breathlessness.

Another woman, a 25-year-old worker, suffered Acute Renal Failure which is different from the normal chronic renal failure. This occurs when there is inadequate intra vascular volume due to severe de-hydration.

Meanwhile, Page Industries Limited, the exclusive licensees of Jockey International Inc. (USA), remained closed on Monday too. Thomas Pius, general manager of the factory told Deccan Herald that they will pay the medical bills and the workers will also be compensated.