9 children die after diarrhoea outbreak hits Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap
India Today
Nine children died due to a diarrhoea outbreak in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district over the last two weeks.
Nine children, aged between three to 10 years, died due to a diarrhoea outbreak in a village under Lazu circle of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district over the last two weeks.Confirming the diarrhoea outbreak and resultant deaths at Pongkong village, Tirap District Medical Officer (DMO) in-charge Dr Obang Taggu informed that the cases were ‘randomly’ reported during the last two weeks, adding, “Right now, the situation is under control”.Taggu blamed the consumption of contaminated water and open defecation, apparently in forests, bushes and nearby water bodies in the hilly areas, for the outbreak.
Dr Taggu, however, said the exact reason was yet to be ascertained, adding that stool from the affected persons and water sample have been sent for laboratory testing to a private facility at the district headquarters Khonsa and Dibrugarh in neighbouring Assam for further analysis.
The DMO in-charge also said, “Because of their superstitious belief that some evil spirit entered their village and spread the disease in their village, the villagers are not cooperating with the medical team and other departments. This is the main reason why so many people have died.”
“In case of dehydration, diarrhoea , people should come to the hospital early. But they are reluctant to come to hospitalStigma, superstitious belief holds them back from moving the health facilities for treatment,” Dr Taggu said while stressing the pressing need to create awareness among the villagers.
Meanwhile, an official at the Tirap Deputy Commissioner’s office informed that the situation is being constantly monitored by local MLA Wanglam Sawin and DC Taro Mize and added that a medical team is being deployed at Lazu for constant examination and treatment.Further, ambulances have already been arranged to lift serious patients from affected Pongkong and nearby villages to the District Hospital in Khonsa. The DC has further instructed the medical team to stay at the village community hall to monitor the situation closely and be available 24x7 for any emergency requirements.
