DIBRUGARH: Health authorities in Dibrugarh have issued an urgent alert after two people died from acute gastroenteritis at Dinjoy Tea Estate in Chabua, amid rising diarrheal diseases in the district.
The victims were 12-year-old Kartik Mirdha and 70-year-old Rita Mura, who died from severe gastroenteritis symptoms including vomiting and loose stools. Their deaths prompted the district health department to release comprehensive prevention guidelines for residents.
Joint Director of Health Services Trishna Borah clarified misinformation surrounding five recent deaths at the estate. While two deaths resulted from gastroenteritis, the other three had different causes: 17-year-old Rajiv Nayak died from heatstroke after playing football in intense heat, 30-year-old Ayesha Mirdha from general vomiting, and 60-year-old Jaymati Rajput from cancer.
Health officials are urging residents to contact nearby health centers immediately upon experiencing diarrhea symptoms such as frequent watery stools, vomiting, lethargy, unconsciousness, or fever.
Prevention measures include boiling drinking water before consumption and using Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) – mixing one packet in one litre of clean water and consuming within 24 hours. For children, authorities recommend administering ORS after each episode of stool or vomiting. Breastfeeding mothers should mix zinc tablets with breast milk or water for infants while continuing regular feeding.
The guidelines emphasize basic hygiene practices: using clean drinking water, covering food to prevent contamination, thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables, maintaining proper hand hygiene with soap before eating and after defecation, avoiding street food, consuming freshly cooked meals, and preventing open defecation near water sources.
Support services are available through toll-free numbers 104 for health information and 108 for ambulance services. The health alert reflects growing concerns about waterborne diseases during monsoon season, when contaminated water sources and poor sanitation contribute to increased gastroenteritis cases across the region.
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