SAHIWAL, Sept 16: As many as 75 people, including 30 children, have been hospitalised because of gastroenteritis that erupted in two katchi abadis located on the outskirts of Chichawatni city.

Reports said Christian Colony and Goashala localities, comprising 3,000 people, are hit by the disease. A few days ago two people – Sharifan Bibi, 60, and infant Amin – of Goashala died in a private clinic. On their death it was learnt that many residents had contracted the disease.

Later, the situation became critical when Chichawatni THQ Hospital emergency ward received 30 patients having clear symptoms of gastroenteritis.

On Monday, health officials confirmed that gastroenteritis had erupted in Goashala and Christian Colony. They set up a three-day medical camp near the locality. They said the supply of contaminated drinking water was the main cause of the disease. They also found that sanitary and water lines were mixed at Mall Mandi near Goashala.

Deputy District Health Officer Dr Shakoorur Rahman told this correspondent that the paramedical staff at the camp was providing antibiotics and IVD drips to patients. He said 375 people had been examined in two days. Of them 75 had been shifted to THQ Hospital.

EDO Dr Sirajuddin told Dawn that 20 water samples from both the localities had been collected and sent to Lahore IPH laboratory.

“The situation is under control and will hopefully improve in coming days. We will screen the entire population. No death has been occurred in our hospital for the last 48 hours,” Dr Siraj said.—Correspondent