New Delhi: An investigation into the deaths linked to a diarrhoea outbreak in Indore has confirmed the presence of bacteria commonly found in sewer water in contaminated drinking water samples, raising serious concerns over civic infrastructure and public health safety. At least nine deaths have now been officially attributed to the outbreak, which has affected thousands of residents.
Laboratory tests on water samples collected from the affected locality detected dangerous pathogens including Vibrio cholerae, Shigella and E. coli. These bacteria are known to cause severe gastrointestinal infections, often leading to acute diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration. Health officials confirmed that contaminated drinking water was the direct cause of the illness reported from Bhagirathpura, a densely populated area of the city.
Preliminary findings indicate that sewage entered the drinking water supply due to a leak in an underground pipeline. Officials identified a major breach in the main water line near a police outpost, at a location where a toilet structure had reportedly been built above the pipeline. This damage is believed to have allowed sewage to mix with potable water, resulting in widespread contamination.
The administration has begun inspecting the entire water supply network in the area to detect additional leaks and structural weaknesses. Clean water supply has since been restored, though residents have been advised to boil water before use as a precaution. Fresh samples have been collected for further testing, and authorities have said the findings will help frame a standard operating procedure to prevent similar incidents across the state.
Residents reportedly began noticing foul smelling water around December 25, with some claiming the issue had persisted for weeks before escalating. While 14 deaths were initially reported, officials clarified that nine were directly caused by diarrhoea linked to contaminated water, while the remaining deaths involved existing medical conditions or unrelated causes.
The outbreak has affected a large section of the population. More than 2,400 people have reported symptoms so far. Health teams surveyed over 1,700 households and examined more than 8,500 individuals, treating many with mild symptoms at home. In the past eight days, 272 patients required hospitalisation, with over 200 still under treatment, including several in intensive care.
Authorities have stepped up monitoring of the city’s water system and launched inquiries to identify lapses. The state government has termed the situation an emergency and assured strict action against those found responsible, as Indore grapples with a crisis that has shaken confidence in its basic civic services.
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