Boriguma: Consumption of contaminated water has allegedly played havoc in Sashahandi panchayat under this block in Koraput district. Diarrhoea is spreading in Bamuniaguda village.
In the last 15 days, five people in the village have died of diarrhoea while over 25 people have been affected, a report said.
According to the report, people who have died of the disease were identified as Sambhari Muduli (62), Ramdas Jani (65), Banka Muduli (70), Makar Santa (62) and Damu Bhumia (28).
However, the administration had denied the number of casualties due to this disease. It claimed that only two people have died. Locals alleged that diarrhoea has been spreading due to negligence by the health department.
Villagers said Bamuni health centre has not taken steps to contain the disease when it broke out. Locals said 45 people are under treatment but the administration denied the number of affected people.
It put the number of affected people at 25. A medical team from the district level visited the village and started treatment of people. The health workers have cleaned sources of drinking water with bleaching powder.
People are being made aware of other preventive measures. At a local primary school, the health department has made arrangements of 20 beds for patients.
About 165 families of SC and ST communities live in the village, but they do not have any tube wellin the village. Handloom and Textile Minister Padmini Dian visited the village and talked to them.
She assured that safe drinking water will be provided. Officials like CDMO, PD, BDO, WEO, the medical officer of Boriguma health centre, tehsildar, CDPO and several health officials visited the village.
The health officials have been looking into causes for the diarrhoea.
PNN