Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

One dies of acute diarrhoeal disease

DEHYDRATED: A patient with acute diarrhoeal disease being treated at the Government Hospital, Mettupalayam, in Coimbatore district.

COIMBATORE: One person died on Thursday and 22 others were admitted to the Government Hospital at Mettupalayam in the district from that night to Friday afternoon after severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea. District Health authorities ruled out cholera and said these were cases of acute diarrhoeal disease.

Dilip (22) of Orissa, who was working with a construction firm here, died of dehydration caused by the disease, according to Deputy Director of Health and Family Welfare T. Karunanidhi.

The health official, however, said that the death of another person – Rangasamy (70), a farmer of Jedayampalayam, was not because of this problem. “He was treated at a private hospital and died of kidney failure,” Dr. Karunanidhi said.

Dr. Karunanidhi explained that Dilip was brought to the Government Hospital on December 18 by a representative of the company in which he worked. But, the treatment was discontinued in an attempt to take him to a private hospital. He was, however, brought back to the Government Hospital sometime later. Quoting hospital doctors, Dr. Karunanidhi said Dilip collapsed even as he was being examined.

A team of doctors and health workers led by Karamadai Block Medical Officer M. Sakthivel looked for more cases in the Karamadai Block where Dilip was working. Cleaning of water tanks was also taken up.

Physician at the Government Hospital S. Cheralathan said the consumption of untreated river water could have caused the problem. But, residents alleged inadequate treatment of drinking water by local bodies. Health officials asked the people to consume boiled water. Dr. Karunanidhi said teams comprising a physician, a paediatrician and two nurses would keep a watch on those admitted to the hospital.

“The patients have been given intravenous fluids and are stable,” he said.

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