Over 100 fall ill with vomiting and diarrhoea after community meal at Kharashi village in Bhandara

Several people complained of vomiting and diarrhoea after a mahaprasad at Kharashi, a sub-centre under the Murmadi Primary Health Centre in Bhandara district. The health department has acted immediately. A special health camp has been set up in the village to treat affected patients, and health staff are monitoring the situation.

The mahaprasad was held for villagers at the Gayatri Mata temple in Kharashi on October 20. Food was arranged for about 700 to 800 people between 5 pm and 9 pm. Some people began vomiting and having diarrhoea the next morning and went to the primary health centre for treatment.

The medical officer of the Murmadi health centre, medical officers of nearby health centres, health workers (male and female) and ASHA volunteers reached Kharashi at once. A camp was started where patients were examined and treated. By 1 pm on October 21, about 120 patients had been treated. Of these, 21 were admitted to the health camp at the gram panchayat office and given the necessary treatment. Nine patients were referred to Rural Hospital Palandur, and the rest were given medicines and sent home.

About 50 patients are currently admitted at Rural Hospital Palandur and are being treated. They include three pregnant women, who have been referred to the District General Hospital, Bhandara, for further treatment.

District Health Officer Dr Nitin Kapse and District Surgeon Dr Sandeepkumar Gajbhiye visited Kharashi village and Rural Hospital Palandur to review the situation. They took stock of the treatment being given to patients and gave the medical officers and staff concerned the necessary instructions. They said patients should receive timely and proper treatment and the situation should be monitored continuously. District Epidemic Disease Officer Dr Shrikant Ambekar and District Extension and Media Officer Anil Bankar are monitoring the situation in the village.

Seven food samples, three water samples and stool samples from five patients have been collected to find the cause. Steps are under way to send them for testing. Health workers and ASHA volunteers are also conducting a door-to-door survey in the village. The emphasis is on identifying people with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea, examining them and, where needed, referring them to a health institution.

The Public Health Department, Bhandara, is carrying out a range of measures, including treatment, referral of patients, the survey and testing of samples. Medical officers, health workers and ASHA volunteers are working in coordination. The health department is taking the necessary precautions to bring the situation under control. The sarpanch and all office-bearers of the Kharashi gram panchayat are giving significant support.

Meanwhile, Sakoli Assembly constituency MLA Nanabhau Patole and Avinash Brahmankar, former member of the Bhandara-Gondia Legislative Council, visited Kharashi and Rural Hospital Palandur to review the situation.