Consumption of highly contaminated and toxic water of Manchhar Lake continue to spread gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, C and typhoid among fishermen and their families living in the lake

The recent health indicators for child and mental health mortality in Pakistan reveal that the country falls far below international standards, which require instant and careful consideration for effective long term planning, says a report by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC).

Health authorities battled to contain the ever increasing dengue epidemic with an island wide surveillance and clearing programme yesterday while the number of dengue related deaths rose to 134 and the number of cases touched the 9,300 mark, health ministry source said.

The residents of different areas of Multan city have alleged that they are forced to drink contaminated and stinking water, causing various diseases. The residents of Hassan Parwana Colony, Jalilabad, Khawaja Colony, Nullah Wali Muhammad, Tipu Sultan Colony, and adjacent areas said that contaminated water was being supplied to them from the Wasa's water supply system.

BALASORE: Panic gripped Pala Jamkunda panchayat in Baliapal block of Balasore district following outbreak of diarrhoea which has claimed one person and affected nearly two dozen people within past few days. The deceased has been identified as Raghunath Bag (22) who died while undergoing treatment at Baliapal hospital. At present, this health centre is flooded with diarrhoea patients.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is raining curses on the fishing community along this 26-km coastal stretch of the district.

It is not just the devouring fury of the rains the poverty-stricken coastal community has to contend with. This time, the higher powers have unleashed ruthless armies of the most virulent strains of bacteria, virus and parasites upon them, not one by one but in one fell swoop.

R.Sujatha

Residents of Virugambakkam say they get dirty water from hand-pumps

KENDRAPARA: Cholera virus has been found in gastro-affected villages of Rajnagar block in Kendrapara district where recently 12 persons, including six children, died after suffering from water-borne diseases.

Biswabrata Goswami
TAMLUK, 9 JUNE: Still struggling to come out of the trauma of the devastation caused by the cyclone Aila, people residing in the coastal belts in Midnapore East district are in the grip of a diarrhoea epidemic.

The World Health Organization says a vaccine which can prevent a diarrhoea and vomiting virus should be given to all children as a routine vaccination.

Rotavirus causes more than 500,000 diarrheal deaths and two million hospitalisations a year among children.

Over 85% of deaths occur in developing countries in Africa and Asia.