At least 16 children, aged between two and three years, died in Hailakandi district bordering Mizoram over the past one month due to gastro enteritis, official sources said here today. Hailakandi DC Tapan Chandra Goswami said soon after reports of the deaths, medical teams were sent to the affected areas and health camps were organized. The situation brought was under control, he added.

KOLKATA: It's good news for the children suffering from rotavirus diarrhoea as rota vaccine is all set to be launched in the city soon. Confirming that the vaccine will be launched in the month of May, Dr Jaydeep Choudhury, assistant professor, department of pediatrics, Institute of Child Health said : "In India more than one lakh children die of rotavirus diarrhoea. If the oral vaccine is administered to babies aged between one and a half month to six months then the chances of falling prey to any severe viral gastroenteritis get minimised.'

Short supply and price rise of oral rehydration saline while diarrhoea is spreading over the last few days have added to sufferings of people attacked with the disease. Oral saline of Social Marketing Company (SMC), which produces about 60 percent of the country's requirement, as well as those of around 15 other companies are now selling at higher prices. And SMC'S saline is also not available in some areas, a field visit showed.

Patients of diarrhea related diseases have been on increase here in Siraha district following the onset of scorching hot season in the region. According to a district hospital source, the number of diarrhea and other stomach related diseases have been surging mainly due to the prevailing poor sanitatary conditions. Dr Raj Kumar Chaudhari, chief at the district public health office said that the district hospital and other health posts in the district are now packed with diarrhea patients.

The Jorhat district administration has asked the tea garden managements to play a more proactive role to control diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases which are threatening to assume an epidemic form in several tea gardens and adjacent areas in the district. In a marathon meeting held at the conference hall of Jorhat District Rural Development Agency here today, Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Ms LS Changsan stressed the need for maintaining a high alert against gastroenteritis during the next five months.

The sweltering summer heat has continued to send more people, mainly children and elderly, suffering from diarrhoea and crowding hospitals in Dhaka city and other parts of the country. A two-year girl, Ria Moni, of Narayanganj died Tuesday on way to ICDDR,B hospital at Mohakhali in Dhaka, her family said. At least one person died and 11,861 others infected with diarrhoea in past seven days, according to the control room of the health directorate that complies reports from public hospitals in districts.

Diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases have affected several tea garden areas in the district even before the onset of the monsoon season. According to the Jorhat Joint Director of Health Services, the diarrhoea toll has risen to seven so far. However, unofficial sources put the figure at not less than 13. More than 20 people are already down with diarrhoea-like symptoms.

Joint Director of Health Dr A Neog said that seven persons had died of diarrhoea in the last 15 days in Jorhat district, though the unofficial toll has been put at something between 13 and 17. Dr Neog said that deaths from gastro-enteric reasons had occurred in Naginijan Tea Estate under the State-owned ATCL, Rajoi Division of Tata Tea Ltd and Umabari Tea Estate.

About 100 people of Durganagar and Sathya Sai Nagar areas in Dharmavaram town were hospitalised after suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea due to consumption of contaminated water on Thursday. According to people, municipal officials supplied drinking water to the two areas at 4 pm on Wednesday. People who drank the water, developed vomiting and diarrhoea.

SILAPATHAR