Over 80 Sickened by Contaminated Well Water in Madhya Pradesh Village; 21 Hospitalised
More than 80 residents of Azampur Dodiya village in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam district fell ill after consuming water from a contaminated well, officials reported on Saturday. The affected villagers experienced symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain over the past three to four days. Twenty-one villagers were hospitalised but later discharged after their condition stabilised.
The Health Department launched a door-to-door survey and set up a medical camp to identify additional patients and provide timely treatment. Chief Medical and Health Officer Kiran Wadia said that the department received information on Friday and immediately dispatched ambulances to transfer seriously affected patients to the hospital.
A team led by epidemiologist Gaurav Boriwal examined about 80 villagers, distributed medicines, and conducted the survey. The contaminated well was cleaned and sealed. Drinking water is now being supplied through tankers.
Villagers declined to provide stool samples for testing, so health officials collected blood samples instead. Village sarpanch Samarth Mal Kharol noted that residents preferred the well water because piped water tasted bland. The well had been recently cleaned using a motor pump.
All affected villagers have recovered, and no further cases have been reported. The Health Department continues to monitor the situation.
