BICHOLIM: Around 40 people from three villages of Kothmabi-Pale in Bicholim taluka are reported to have fallen ill with similar symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea, with the cause of the illness yet to be ascertained by authorities.
The patients were rushed to different hospitals for medical treatment and four patients are admitted to the GMC hospital at Bambolim for further treatment.
According to reporters, people from the three villages began falling ill with similar symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea. Panic prevailed as the numbers increased.
The patients were shifted to different hospitals, including the GMC hospital at Bambolim, Community Health Centre at Sakhali, ID hospital at Ponda and some private hospitals.
Speaker and local MLA Dr Pramod Sawant visited several houses of patients late Tuesday evening and he was accompanied by a team of doctors and PWD officials.
Appealing to the people not to panic, Dr Sawant assured to trace the cause leading to the illness.
There have been suspicions that the people had fallen ill after drinking water supplied from tankers, but Dr Sawant told reporters that water samples from the tanker water were tested on Tuesday evening did not find anything suspicious.
Health officials have also confirmed that nothing suspicious was traced after samples from the tanker water were tested.
Not willing to take any changes, Dr Sawant directed the officials to test the water samples a second time and to prepare a report in the matter.
He also instructed them to conduct a health check up in a bid to ascertain if there has been any outbreak in the area.
According to sources, residents in the three affected areas receive water supplied from wells and the water is reportedly treated and filled into tankers.
Speaking to reporters, local panch Prashila Gawade said officials began testing water samples after several people had taken ill.
“As an added precaution, people have been requested to boil water before drinking,” said Gawade.
