Diarrhea outbreak hospitalizes 122 in Vijayawada

A sudden and rapid diarrhea outbreak in Raja Rajeswari (RR) Peta has prompted the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) to launch an intensive, "war-footing" sanitation and health response. The outbreak, which began with a handful of cases, quickly escalated, causing concern and panic among residents.

On Wednesday, authorities noted the first signs of the outbreak when 19 people from RR Peta were admitted to the Vijayawada Government Hospital with severe diarrhea symptoms. The situation worsened overnight, with the number of hospitalizations soaring to 122 by Thursday night. Medical staff worked tirelessly to provide care, and as of the latest update, 61 patients have been discharged, while the remaining 61 are under close medical observation. Doctors are providing necessary treatment, including oral rehydration therapy and intravenous fluids for more severe cases.

To contain the outbreak and prevent further spread, the civic body has deployed an extensive team of over 250 sanitation workers. These teams are conducting a thorough clean-up operation across the affected areas, focusing on household cleaning, door-to-door garbage removal, drainage system cleaning, and extensive street sweeping. Disinfectant is being sprayed liberally to sanitize the environment.

Simultaneously, a large force of medical, engineering, and Sachivalayam staff has been mobilized to conduct a comprehensive investigation. They are actively collecting water samples from various sources and stool samples from patients to pinpoint the exact cause of the illness.

In addition to sanitation efforts, authorities have set up special medical camps within RR Peta to provide immediate relief and on-site medical attention. Doctors and paramedical staff are conducting check-ups and distributing essential supplies like oral rehydration salts (ORS) and medicines. Awareness campaigns are also being conducted to educate residents on the importance of basic hygiene, consuming only boiled water, and safe food preparation practices.

Speaking to reporters, VMC Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. K. Arjunarao confirmed the scale of the response. "We have initiated sanitation and disinfection activities on a war footing. Every household in RR Peta has been cleaned, and strict monitoring is ongoing," he said. While food poisoning is a potential cause, he emphasized that the definitive root cause will be confirmed only after the lab results are received, which are expected by Friday.

Meanwhile, Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Ponguru visited the affected area to personally oversee the situation. He held a meeting with key officials, including MAUD Commissioner P. Sampath Kumar, NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha, and VMC Commissioner Dhyanachandra. The minister assured the public that the government is fully alert to the situation and that no fatalities have been reported. He urged the public not to believe in rumors and confirmed that a control room with the helpline number 9154970454 has been established at the Collectorate for any assistance.

In a broader effort to prevent future outbreaks, the Civic Chief has ordered a citywide drive to ensure clean drinking water. Authorities are also cracking down on illegal RO water plants operating without valid trade licenses and proper lab registers for water quality testing.