Visakhapatnam: A diarrhoea outbreak was reported in Srikakulam town on Monday, with 15 cases recorded at Kaki Veedhi, Dammala Veedhi, Gudi Veedhi, and Manguvari Thota. Authorities suspect water contamination — possibly due to drainage water entering local supplies — as the primary cause. Nine people are currently receiving treatment in hospital. Though stable, they remain under observation as advised by doctors.
Health officials and secretariat staff visited affected households to provide medical guidance. Residents were advised against using municipal water in the affected streets and instructed to discard stored water from the past two to three days. The municipal corporation will supply safe water through tankers, while packaged bottled water may be consumed where available.
State municipal administration minister P. Narayana reviewed the situation with the district collector, district medical and health officer, and city municipal commissioner. He directed officials to conduct an immediate investigation and submit a report on the causes of the outbreak — whether due to contaminated water or other dietary factors.
District collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar visited the affected areas and urged residents to consume only boiled water. “All drinking water should be boiled before consumption, and any health concerns must be reported immediately to the government general hospital or nearby PHCs. Municipal staff and health authorities will camp in these areas overnight. Two ambulances have been stationed to shift patients, and a special ward has been opened at the government general hospital, Srikakulam,” he said.
State agriculture minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu also reviewed the situation and directed immediate repairs if sewage contamination is detected in drinking water pipelines.>
