BADIN, April 5: Cases of gastro-enteritis are on the rise in rural areas of Badin taluka, particularly among children, with the number of patients visiting the out-patient departments of government and private hospitals increased. At least 35 gastro-enteritis patients from Siddiq Abro, Soomar Abro and Mohammad Khan Khaskheli villages have been admitted to the civil as well as the Jafri hospital. Already, a 60-year-old woman has died of the disease, whereas condition of six children is said to be critical. They include Farhan, Anila, Shamim, Khanzadi.

EDO (health) Nawaz Abbasi, acting on the directives of DCO Mumtaz Ali Shah, has declared emergency in the civil hospital, where a ward has been set aside for such patients.

The DCO has also directed that emergency camps be set up in the affected villages. Civil surgeon Dr Mohammad Moosa Memon has said that all arrangements have been finalized to meet the situation.

Dr Abdul Rehman Bhurgari told this correspondent that gastro-enteritis spread during the hot season, adding that unclean water and unhygienic conditions played a great part in spread of the disease.

He advised people not to consume stale food, and to drink only boiled water.—BoC