2 die in Tumakuru after drinking contaminated water, government says | Latest news India

Two people have died in Tumakuru district due to gastroenteritis, a health official said on Wednesday, adding that water and food samples have been sent to laboratories for confirmation.

An official said two people died in Soralamavu village, Chikkanayakanahalli taluk after suffering from vomiting and dysentery. The two dead were identified as Gundamma (60), who died on Tuesday, and Bhuvaneshwari (10), who died on Sunday.

“We have found symptoms of gastroenteritis in this case and have collected water and food samples for testing,” Tumakuru District Health Officer Dr Chandra Shekar told HT.

“We are awaiting the autopsy reports of the two dead and have taken precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the villagers,” he added. He also confirmed that seven people admitted to hospitals in Tiptur and Chikkanayakanahalli are now out of danger.

In another incident, five people died in the last five days in Tumbigere village, Harapanahalli taluk, Vijayanagara district. Despite villagers’ claims that the deaths were due to gastroenteritis, health officials have ruled it out.

“The deaths were not caused by gastroenteritis as claimed by the villagers,” Vijayanagara District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Shankar Naik told HT.

He further said that a temporary clinic has been set up in Tumbigere village, which operates 24 hours a day to control the situation.

Water and food samples have been collected and sent to labs for testing, and authorities are awaiting autopsy reports on the deceased, he said.

He said four of the victims had pre-existing health problems, while one baby died of hepatitis.

“We have started an investigation into the cause of these deaths,” the district health officer added.