SARGODHA, Aug 15: Appendicitis has assumed the form of an epidemic in Chokera village as 117 people have undergone appendectomy and over 200 people are reportedly admitted to various hospitals for surgery.

Panic gripped the village having the population of 6,000 people.

The health department took sample of water to ascertain the cause of disease.

Surgeon Dr Saeed Kumah told Dawn on Friday that it was not an epidemic. However, poor quality food and contaminated water might have been one of the causes of the disease, he added.

He said health authorities should take steps to find the cause of spread of the disease like an epidemic.

A couple of people who underwent surgery, told this scribe that they felt severe pain in the lower part of their abdomen and started vomiting. When they consulted doctors, they diagnosed them as having appendicitis and suggested them appendectomy.