Jaundice Outbreak Hits Mhow After Indore Water Crisis Claims 25 Lives
Over two dozen, including children, fall ill in Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow due to contaminated drinking water
A fresh wave of waterborne illness has struck the Mhow area of Indore district in Madhya Pradesh, where more than two dozen people, including several school-going children, have been diagnosed with jaundice after consuming contaminated drinking water. Reports of foul-smelling, muddy water emerged from Patti Bazaar and Chander Marg localities starting Thursday night, prompting residents to link their sudden sickness directly to the local supply. Affected families say children have missed classes and even crucial examinations due to severe symptoms.
Among those impacted are Class 12 student Alena, who was unable to appear for her pre-board exams, 12-year-old Geetansh, and nine-year-old Lakshita, all currently battling jaundice. Residents in the Moti Mahal area have reported similar complaints. Local authorities noted that many households had repeatedly raised concerns about water pipelines running close to or through sewage drains, yet no preventive measures were taken prior to the outbreak.
Indore Collector Shivam Verma visited the affected areas and patients late Thursday night, while a medical team from Indore rushed to Mhow on instructions from Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Madhav Hasani. BJP MLA Usha Thakur also met with those receiving treatment. Health officials have launched investigations and are providing care, though no fatalities have been reported from the Mhow cluster so far.
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The incident follows a deadly contamination crisis in Indore city, approximately 60 km away, where 25 people have lost their lives due to contaminated water supply. The most recent death occurred on Tuesday when 51-year-old Hemany Gaikwad from Bhagirathpura succumbed after suffering vomiting and diarrhoea linked to the polluted water. He had underlying conditions including cell carcinoma and kidney disease.
In submissions to the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the state government confirmed bacterial contamination, including E. coli presence in 51 tube wells in Bhagirathpura, caused by a pipeline leak that allowed sewage to mix with drinking water. E. coli infection typically triggers severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and fever. The court has sought detailed explanations on the contamination sources and preventive steps.
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