The number of patients suffering from gastroenteritis and other infectious disease has been rising in Karachi in recent days.
Gastroenteritis is a short-term illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Symptoms can include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.
The Sindh Health department has confirmed outbreak of the disease in Malir due to contaminated water. A woman died and hundreds of people across the city have fallen ill due to the disease over the past few days.
Health experts said the consumption of contaminated food and water coupled with the unhygienic conditions after animal slaughter was performed across the city during Eid-ul-Azha are responsible for the conditions. There has been an increase in infectious and viral diseases after the extended Eid holidays and scorching temperatures in the city.
The gravity of the situation can be gauged as more than 4,200 patients visited three major hospitals – Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) and The Indus Hospital – in less than a week after complaints of various diseases.
Sindh health department’s spokesperson blamed supply of contaminated water for the outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea and cholera in Malir. The spokesperson said health department had taken several steps to tackle the outbreak, which included setting up medical camps in the community, collection of water samples and creating awareness about prevention.
Many patients were still visiting hospitals with complaints of vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach/abdominal cramps. The medical history of most patients showed consuming meat, which was either not properly cooked or contaminated, and using unboiled drinking water.
Prevention of gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is highly contagious and you should take precautions to reduce the risk of the disease. Good old-fashioned handwashing with soap and water is still the best defence.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing food or eating.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap after going to the toilet, smoking, using a handkerchief or tissue, or handling animals.
- Use disposable paper towels to dry your hands rather than cloth towels, since bacteria can survive for some time on objects.
- Do not handle raw and cooked foods with the same implements (tongs, knives, cutting boards), unless they have been thoroughly washed.
- Keep all kitchen surfaces and equipment clean.
- Make sure food is thoroughly cooked.
- Clean kitchen tops, toys, toilet seats, and taps to ensure you don’t spread the infection to others at home.
- Keep cold food cold (below 5 °C) and hot food hot (above 60 °C) to discourage the growth of bacteria.
- Clean the toilet and bathroom regularly (especially the toilet seat, door handles and taps).
- Only drink bottled or boiled water
- Avoid food buffets, uncooked foods or peeled fruits and vegetables, and ice in drinks.
Please note alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against gastroenteritis. Stay home while sick, until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped. If symptoms persist, visit your nearest physician.
