MOHALI: Official have confirmed the outbreak of cholera at Peer Muchalla in Zirakpur, with four more people taking ill and another testing positive for hepatitis E. Earlier, the disease had broken out at Baltana in Zirakpur on August 15. Cases were then reported from Ravindra Enclave, Golden Estate, Ekta Vihar, Yog Vihar, Harmilap Nagar, Modern Colony and Hem Vihar of Baltana.
On the other hand, seven out of 10 water samples taken by the Zirakpur municipal council public health department were found unfit for drinking in Peer Muchalla. The water samples were taken from tubewell near Chinar Apartments; near house number 104, Heritage Apartments; borewell near SCF-1 in Shiv Nagar; tap water from house number 302, Shiv Nagar; borewell near Kali Mata temple; near Sohana jewellers and near the MC office A report, which was submitted to the district administrative office, said chlorine content was found missing.
Additional deputy commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said, “Medical camps are set up at various localities and drinking water is being supplied through water tankers. Though the situation is under control, orders to conduct house-to-house survey have been issued. Infected people and their family members are being given tablets and ORS. Water, stool and blood samples have been taken of patients as well as their family members.”
Diarrhoea had broken out in Peer Muchalla on September 12 when 138 residents of the area fell ill. The count is 282, with 21 patients showing acute symptoms admitted to community health centre, Dhakoli, whereas some were under treatment at civil hospital Derabassi and Panchkula.
The health department has discontinued the water supply till the source of contamination is detected. Civil surgeon said the teams have inspected the area and also distributed medicines and advised residents not to consume tapwater. The MC is supplying water from tankers.
