JOIN USContaminated water: 50 ill at Nagamangala village
More than 50 residents of Anechannapura village took ill after consuming water, stored in drums, supplied through tankers. Among them, 30 residents are suspected to be suffering from dengue fever.
Anechannapura in Nagamangala taluk is worst-hit due to water shortage and the authorities have been supplying drinking water through tankers from October 2018. Water is filled from a private borewell at a village under Lalanakere Grama Panchayat and distributed among the people.
The residents fill water in drums to be used for drinking and daily chores. As the people had left the drums uncleaned since several days, the water has got contaminated. More than 50 people who have consumed the water have complained of fever since 15 days, officials said.
As many took ill, it created panic among the people due to rumours of dengue fever. Four people, who were detected with decreased platelet counts, have been admitted to St John's Hospital in Bengaluru for treatment. Ten persons are being treated at Adichunchanagiri Hospital at Bellur.
Manjesh, a resident said, larvae were found in many drums and mosquito menace has become common in the village. The whole village is getting treated for dengue, out of fear, he said.
Mobile clinic
A mobile clinic has started functioning in the village to instill confidence among the residents. Doctors, health department employees and Asha workers are distributing pamphlets to create awareness on maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.
Taluk Health Officer Dr Dhananjay said blood samples of the patients have been sent for testing and the report will be available in two days. As it is a viral fever, it has spread rapidly due to contaminated water. The doctors are monitoring the situation, he said.
Midday meals
There is no water for preparing midday meals and it is affecting the children. Midday meal worker Netravathi said water was last supplied through tanker on April 18, the day of Lok Sabha election. "After that, no water was supplied. We are forced to fetch water from neighbouring homes for cooking," she said.