PUNE, 28 March 2005 — The state government panic-stricken by the outbreak of jaundice, cholera and gastro-enteritis epidemic in Pune and Sangli districts, launched an emergency operation on a war footing to battle and control the epidemic.
In all 300 jaundice-stricken persons in Baramati, 102 in Alandi and 500 cholera and gastro-enteritis patients in Sangli were admitted to several government and private hospitals for treatment.
Alarmed by the outbreak of the epidemic in his home town Baramati, federal agriculture minister and NCP national President Sharad Pawar, currently on an official visit to China, phoned his nephew and state water resources minister Ajit Pawar and directed him to take all immediate measures to control the epidemic.
The state health authorities have launched door-to-door awareness program educating people in epidemic affected places on prevention measures, check people for jaundice symptoms, providing information of medical and water purification centers.
Jaundice Outbreak in Hyderabad
A serious outbreak of jaundice has struck the southern Indian city of Hyderabad with 167 people diagnosed with the disease over the past month, news reports said yesterday.
City authorities have launched a door-to-door survey in affected areas, NDTV television network reported.
Health authorities in the city, capital of Andhra Pradesh state, said tap water could be the carrier of the water-borne disease. People have been advised to boil drinking water.
In areas where large numbers of cases have been reported ice factories and dairies have been shut down as a precautionary step.
Dr. S. Sathyavati, a state health official, said the ageing and rusted water and sewage system in the old quarters of the city may have leaked leading to contamination. “The system needs a complete overhaul,” she said.
