KARACHI, July 14: A number of people, including children and women, have been suffering from water-borne diseases in Chashma Goth, near Ibrahim Hyderi. According to area doctors and NGO workers the spread of the diseases was caused by the recent rains and insanitation in the locality.

Two-year-old Sameer who was admitted to a government hospital about four days back died of the disease on Friday.

The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, a local NGO, claimed that the child had been suffering from gastroenteritis, but government doctors posted in the area said the victim had developed severe abscess in his back coupled with some other complications. He was never brought before them prior to his shifting to the hospital.

The NGO further said that about 35 other patients, including women, were hospitalised on Saturday as the gastroenteritis epidemic broke out in Chashma Goth, a fishermen locality in Bin Qasim Town.