Andhra Pradesh government takes action to control diarrhoea outbreak in Vizianagaram district
In response to a diarrhoea outbreak that has resulted in the deaths of four individuals in Gurla mandal, approximately 20 km from the Vizianagaram district headquarters; the Andhra Pradesh government has implemented a series of measures aimed at controlling the situation.
Authorities have ordered the closure of open bore wells in the village after the rural water supply and health departments identified contaminated water as the primary cause of the outbreak, which has hospitalised nearly 140 people. Those affected are receiving treatment at a special medical camp established in the village.
Uma Shankar, the Superintending Engineer of the Rural Water Supply department, stated that water samples from five private bore wells have been collected and sent to laboratories for testing. "We expect to receive the reports within a few days. The department will take necessary actions to ensure the supply of purified water in all other areas to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases," he said.
To address the immediate needs of the residents, purified water in cans is being distributed to all households, alongside a special sanitation drive. Officials are also distributing packets of bleaching powder to help purify water at home, and all fish and meat shops in the village and surrounding areas have been closed as a precautionary measure.
District Medical and Health Officer Bhaskara Rao informed the media that patients are advised not to return home immediately, as they require observation for a few more days. "The number of cases has increased from an initial 80 to 140. However, the situation is now under control," he noted, emphasizing that diarrhoea is communicable, which necessitates continued monitoring.
D.V.G. Sankara Rao, Chairperson of the A.P. State ST Commission and a medical professional, urged district officials to maintain the medical camp for an additional week to ensure complete normalcy in the village. He engaged with senior medical staff to inquire about the treatment being administered to patients. District Collector B.R. Ambedkar has also submitted a detailed report to the government outlining the measures taken to restore normalcy in the affected village.
Meanwhile, Vizianagaram Zilla Parishad Chairperson Majji Srinivasa Rao recommended extending the special sanitation drive to all villages, as reports of waterborne diseases have emerged in multiple locations.
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NDA's win in Bihar Assembly bypolls a matter of concern: Prashant Kishor
Patna, Nov 23: Political strategist turned activist Prashant Kishor on Saturday dubbed as "a matter of concern" the NDA's win in assembly by-polls in Bihar despite "failure" of the BJP-led coalition to end the state's chronic backwardness during it's decades-long rule.
Talking to reporters here shortly after the results were out, Kishor also drew succour from the fact that his fledgling Jan Suraaj won "10 per cent" of the total votes polled in four seats, but rubbished the claim that it had played a role in the RJD's defeat in three of these.
"RJD is a 30-year-old party. The son of its state president finished third. Can Jan Suraaj be faulted for that? In Belaganj all Muslim votes went to the JD(U) candidate. In Imamganj, the Jan Suraaj cut into NDA votes. Else, the victory margin of (Union minister) Jitan Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha would have been bigger", asserted Kishor.
Notably, Imamganj, a reserved seat, was retained by Manjhi's daughter-in-law Deepa, who defeated the RJD candidate by a thin margin of less than 6,000 votes. Jan Suraaj candidate Jitendra Paswan finished third, polling more than 37,000 votes.
When pointed out that in three of the four seats, candidates of Jan Suraaj had polled less than one-sixth of the total votes and ran the risk of losing their deposits, Kishor shot back "That should not be a matter of concern (chinta ki baat). If there is a matter of concern, it is the ability of the NDA to make a clean sweep despite having ruled Bihar for so long and "failed" to end the state's backwardness".
The IPAC founder, who had a brief stint in the JD(U), insisted that the party's supremo Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, was a "spent force" and its candidate, former MLC Manorama Devi, had won on her own steam.
"We have always said that our fight is with NDA, not with RJD despite its claim of being the largest party in Bihar.....(but) Nitish Kumar is no factor. His party polled just about 11 per cent of total votes", said Kishor.
About his own party's inability to make a mark, Kishor said "We have secured 10 per cent votes..... in seats where Jan Suraaj had no presence since these areas were yet to be covered by my padyatra. Also, please note that we got our poll symbol after filing of nomination papers was over".
He also maintained that the Jan Suraaj will go solo in the assembly polls due next year when it will contest "all 243 seats".
"We were initially written off but by garnering about 10 per cent votes, in a state known to vote along predictable caste lines, we have proved a point. In the next few months we shall be strengthening the organization to ensure that vote share of the Jan Suraaj improves", he said.
