Indore water contamination: Audit links 15 deaths to diarrhoea outbreak

Indore: A death audit submitted to the Indore administration has indicated that 15 of the 21 deaths reported from Bhagirathpura may be linked to a recent outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water, sources said.

Health officials reported five new diarrhoea cases on Tuesday, all from the affected locality. Indore chief medical and health officer Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani said the patients were treated at local health centres and discharged after care.

While the district administration has officially confirmed six deaths due to waterborne illness, residents have claimed a higher toll. District Magistrate Shivam Verma said the audit was conducted by a committee of senior doctors from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, though the panel could not determine the exact cause of death in some cases.

Verma said several deaths were likely linked to diarrhoea and vomiting from unsafe water, while others were unrelated. The administration has so far provided Rs 2 lakh as financial assistance to 18 affected families.

The outbreak began on December 29 after contaminated water was supplied to the area. Since then, 436 patients have been hospitalised, with 403 discharged after recovery. At present, 33 patients remain admitted, including eight in ICUs, health officials said.

(with inputs from agencies)