E Coli bacteria found in rectal swab, water samples

Rourkela: Test report of the rectal swab and water samples collected from Nuadihi village in Hemgir block of Sundargarh district has revealed presence of E Coli bacteria, known to cause diarrhoea. Four persons, including two from Jharsuguda district, died and a large number of people had fallen ill due to suspected food poisoning.Although cases are decreasing, six persons are still undergoing treatment and two are under observation in the village.Sources said residents of Nuadihi and nearby Jharsuguda villages had attended a post-funeral feast on May 21. From May 22, several of them complained of vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain. In all, 54 people across the two districts were affected, including 47 in Nuadihi alone.Health teams reached the village on May 23 and admitted 28 patients to Hemgir CHC, of whom six were later shifted to Sundargarh district headquarters hospital (DHH) after their condition worsened. Two persons of Nuadihi village died during treatment. Two others died in nearby villages in Jharsuguda district.On Sunday, a health team visited Nuadihi village and water and rectal swab samples were collected and sent for testing. A high-level health team led by Ashok Paikray, additional director of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), on Monday visited Nuadihi village.