The number of diarrhea cases in Karachi’s Malir district has increased to 327, with 67 new cases reported on Thursday. The Sindh Health Department confirmed that the cases of Acute Watery diarrhea (AWD) have been steadily rising since June 28.
According to health officials, the district has witnessed a significant increase in AWD infections, affecting both women and children. In comparison, from January to June, only one AWD-related death was reported at Murad Memon Hospital, and three cases of cholera were reported in the first half of the year.
The health department spokesperson stated that contaminated water tanks filled with sludge have been identified as the source of the outbreak. The presence of the Vibro cholera/E-Coli virus in the main water supply has been identified as the cause of the infections.
In response to the situation, District Health Officer Dr Jamel Mughal has written a letter to the deputy commissioner of Malir district, urging the water board to clean the tanks and ensure the presence of chlorine in the water supply to eliminate any germs or viruses.
The health services in Karachi have provided diagnosis kits to Memon Goth Hospital for the rapid detection of the Vibrio cholera bacteria. The deputy commissioner of Malir has been requested to instruct local government officials to implement proper filtration and chlorination measures in the water supply to prevent further incidences of cholera and acute watery diarrhea.
The rise in diarrhea cases in Malir district highlights the critical issue of contaminated water sources and supply. It is essential for the authorities to take immediate actions to clean the water tanks, ensure proper chlorination, and address the water quality concerns to protect the health and well-being of the residents.
