KARACHI, May 28: Following the death of three people in Munno Goth, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, the health department of the city government has issued directives to all 18 towns for taking prompt preventive measures to control gastroenteritis.

Two children and a woman died of gastroenteritis in Munno Ghot on Friday.

A city government official talking to Online on Saturday claimed that the deceased had fell victim to gastroenteritis after consuming stale food, as there was no apparent sign of mixing of sewage in potable water.

However, he added that the city government had set up an emergency camp in the area to deal with any disease outbreak.

As a precautionary measure, he said the quality and control department had collected samples of potable water from different houses in Munno Ghot and had sent them to the city government’s laboratory for testing.

The final report of the samples would be received on Sunday, he added.

Meanwhile, the health department has suggested citizens to avoid the consumption of sub-soil water and use only boiled water.

Similarly, it advised that unripe and rotten fruits, ice candy, substandard beverages, sugarcane juice, and other food items, sold at open stalls and pushcarts must be avoided in these days.

Vegetables should be washed with potash before cooking, he maintained.

Citizens have also been advised not to preserve food in fridge for a long time.

Meanwhile, the health department warned vendors, shopkeepers and hotel owners to avoid selling substandard food and beverages or legal action would be taken against them.—Online