KARACHI, Aug 12: A comprehensive and independent study carried out at Karachi University has indicated that the people of Landhi and Gadap who suffered from gastro-enteritis in late June had consumed contaminated water.
Under the study, samples of both water and faeces were tested for bacteria and viruses so that the underlying causes for the outbreaks in Landhi and Gadap could be identified with accuracy. The study was carried out by Ms Tamkeen Zehra and supervised by Prof Nusrat Jamil of the university’s microbiology department, who has a doctorate from the famous Imperial College, London.
After the tests it was revealed that water and stool samples contained a host of bacteria and viruses which cause diarrhoea and vomiting. For instance, E.coli was present in both water and stool samples.
The samples of water taken from a well in Gadap Town also contained Salmonella para B, which causes both salmonella infection and typhoid. Similarly, some viruses including rotavirus have also been identified even though confirmation of this requires further work.
One alarming finding of the study holds that the organisms isolated from the water and stool samples are highly resistant to antibiotics like ampicillin, kanamycin and chloramphenicol. This means that the microorganisms require special handling.
Another interesting facet of the study is the testing of effluent issuing from an industrial unit in Landhi Town. According to both Prof Jamil and Ms Zehra, the tests indicated the presence of dead bacteria in the industrial effluent. However, several viruses were present in varying amounts.
Prof Jamil told Dawn that physicians trying to treat people of Landhi and Gadap used a combination of antibiotics indiscriminately. This resulted in the increase in resistance to the antibiotics.
“Another area which needs to be looked into in detail is the identification and treatment of viruses. This is one area in which the local physicians and scientists must enhance their expertise considerably.”
In response to a question, Prof Jamil said dead bacteria in samples of industrial effluent indicated the presence of chemicals. “If the chemicals like heavy metals are indeed present in the industrial effluent and the same are finding their way into the water system then we have a serious problem at hand.”
The professor was of the view that Mr and Mrs Average can get rid of common bacteria simply by boiling water, but the same cannot be done with heavy metals.” She said distillation units were needed to isolate chemicals including heavy metals.
“But as you know people cannot install distillation units at home. So it becomes the responsibility of the owners of the industrial units to filter the effluent before discharge. It is the responsibility also of the government to ensure that all industrial units follow good manufacturing practices.”
Prof Jamil was of the opinion that the authorities should undertake as soon as possible a study on the quality of the various kinds of water which are used by the poor people. “Such a study should include tests on subsoil water besides piped and tanker water.”
She was of the opinion that research work should not be undertaken simply for the sake of publicity and promotion of a particular scientist but to resolve certain problems faced by the people of the country.
Ms Zehra, who has done all the legwork in connection with the study, said that though both infected food and contaminated water could lead to outbreaks of gastro-enteritis, in Landhi and Gadap people had fallen ill after consuming water of dubious quality. “I have been visiting the two localities constantly since the two outbreaks.
“My considered opinion is that bad water created all the problems. In Gadap people fell ill, even died, after consuming the water from a well. Once this well was declared “out of bounds”, we have not had any problem.”
Similarly, since the water and sanitation department’s pipes were shut down in Landhi, there have been no problems, added Ms Tamkeen.