23 Kids who fell ill because of contaminated water in their orphanage at Bharathinagar were admitted to hospital. Ten children were admitted to hospital on Wednesday and the rest on Thursday. All they remember was eating mangoes and drinking water. All the children are out of danger, however, it will take them at least two days to recover said duty doctor.All of them were rushed to Isolation Hospital since late Wednesday afternoon. With the increasing numbers, the hospital on Old Madras Road almost ran out of space and had to accommodate them on extra beds in the corridors. Bharathinagar corporator Shakeel Ahmed said: “It seems like an isolated incident. It’s due to the leaking sanitary lines. A thorough inspection must be done. All sanitary pipelines in our area are very old. Civic agencies must take action immediately.”
“Doctors said it was due to water contamination. BWSSB officials visited the place and taken samples for examination. The water tank is close to the sewerage line. The problem will be fixed in a day. Till then, the BWWSB has arranged for drinking water tankers” said Nirmala Vasanthkumar, supervisor, New Life Centre for Girls’ Orphanage, Bharatinagar.
The water tank and sewage lines are too close to each other. Usually, while constructing a building on 20-30/30-40 site, the sump and sewerage tank are built at different corners. In this case, the problem was with the water tank. It might have developed a crack, because of which sewage water would have seeped into it. Says BBMP official.
“Officials have advised orphanage supervisors not to use the water. We have also provided them with ORS and communicable disease medicine; water is being supplied through tankers now. The health department will hold a camp on Friday,” said the PRO.
