PANAJI
South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus, reviewed meeting regarding Diarrhoeal disease situation at Prabhu Builders in Dabolim and confirmed that the outbreak was caused by water contamination from a malfunctioning sewage treatment plant (STP). She stated that the situation is now under control, with no new cases reported in the last 24 hours.
Addressing the media on Friday, the Collector said that action will be initiated under the Goa Health Act.
According to reports, a total of 156 cases have been reported so far. “The first case was reported on March 12. In the same week, 55 cases were recorded. As of now, 156 cases have been reported and are being treated. This week, two cases were reported on Wednesday, and none on Thursday,” she said.
The Collector further informed that immediately after the outbreak was identified, the health department conducted screening of all residents across 328 flats in the complex, which consists of five blocks. Most cases were found to be concentrated in a particular block.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) also carried out an inspection on March 16. It found that the STP was not functioning properly, leading to untreated water mixing with treated water. This contaminated water entered the borewell supply, which residents were consuming, resulting in the outbreak.
“All reported cases are being treated at the health centre. Patients have been given ORS and prescribed necessary medication,” the Collector said.
She reassured that the situation is under control. “Based on the figures in the last 24 hours, the situation is stable. The GSPCB has instructed the builder to ensure that untreated water does not mix with borewell water or other facilities,” she added.
Meanwhile, the drinking water department also conducted inspections and collected samples from the complex. Some samples tested positive, while others were negative. Samples from PWD tanks, swimming pools, and other storage units were found to be safe, whereas samples from the garden outlet, borewell, and pipelines tested positive for contamination.
The builder has now taken charge of the situation and has arranged for water supply from the Public Works Department (PWD), as directed by the GSPCB.
