Contaminated water sources fuel multiple disease outbreaks across AP

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh is witnessing a surge in illnesses linked to waterborne and foodborne infections. The latest incident is a diarrhoea outbreak in Srikakulam that has affected over 100 individuals (102 cases as of now) and led to one death. On average, the state has reported around 800 to 900 such cases annually over the past three years.However, these official figures may underestimate the true burden, as many cases of food poisoning and diarrhoea go unreported, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. The rise in water- and food-related illnesses marks a noticeable shift from the more frequently reported vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chickenpox, which previously dominated the public health landscape of Andhra Pradesh. Investigations into recent outbreaks have detected multidrug-resistant microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas species, in water and food samples collected from affected areas. The presence of these pathogens is a significant concern. E. coli is a key indicator of faecal contamination and can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, while Klebsiella and Pseudomonas are opportunistic bacteria that can lead to serious infections, particularly in children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immunity. The detection of drug-resistant strains further complicates treatment, potentially increasing the risk of prolonged illness, hospitalisation, and mortality. In some instances, outbreaks have also involved Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium responsible for cholera, which can cause rapid dehydration and death if untreated. Many outbreaks have been linked to the consumption of contaminated or spoiled food, unsafe drinking water, and poor hygiene practices. For instance, a private educational institution in Guntur district reported an outbreak of acute diarrhoeal disease in Nov 2025, with 457 cases of vomiting and loose stools. Laboratory testing revealed Klebsiella contamination in several water samples. Similarly, SC Colony in Guttikonda village of Palnadu district reported an outbreak in October 2025, where three of five water samples were found bacteriologically unsatisfactory. In February 2025, Atmakur in Nandyal district recorded 19 cases and two deaths. Laboratory analysis detected Klebsiella in a stool sample and identified Pseudomonas and E. coli contamination in multiple water samples. In August 2024, B. Palyem village in Chittoor district reported a cholera outbreak with 71 cases, and laboratory confirmation of Vibrio cholerae. Water samples were also found unfit for consumption. Gurla in Vizianagaram district experienced a severe diarrhoeal outbreak in Oct 2024 that resulted in several deaths, with 31 out of 44 tested water samples containing coliform bacteria, indicating widespread faecal contamination. In another tragic incident in August 2024, three tribal children died and around 40 others were hospitalised following a food poisoning episode at a shelter home in Kailasapatnam, Anakapalli district. A severe outbreak of melioidosis in Turakapalem village near Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, resulted in several deaths by early Sep 2025. The infection was confirmed to have been caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. The state government has identified multiple systemic gaps contributing to these outbreaks. These include faecal contamination of drinking water sources, leakages in pipelines—particularly where pipelines pass through drains—drawing water through motors that create negative pressure and allow contamination, inadequate chlorination, and poorly maintained overhead tanks. Weak monitoring of water quality and delayed referral of patients, often after initial treatment by unqualified rural medical practitioners, have further aggravated the situation. Moreover, underreporting of cases obscures the true scale of the public health challenge. State health minister Satya Kumar Yadav said that all necessary measures are being taken in coordination with the concerned government departments to prevent contamination of drinking water and the occurrence of diarrhoea cases.