The health administration in Indore has officially declared the severe outbreak of waterborne diseases in the Bhagirathpura locality an epidemic. This critical decision was announced on Sunday following the tragic loss of 10 lives linked to the contamination. Authorities have mobilized specialized teams from both the Central and state governments to urgently contain the spread and pinpoint the exact source of the pollution.
High-Level Response and Expert Intervention
To coordinate a national-level response, a high-level meeting was chaired by Collector Shivam Verma at the Smart City office on Sunday morning. The meeting brought together top specialists from across India to tackle the crisis. The expert team includes scientists Dr. Pramit Ghosh and Dr. Gautam Chaudhary from ICMR-NIRBI (Kolkata) at the National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections, and Dr. Anubhav from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). They are being assisted by experts in community medicine and epidemiology from the State Surveillance Team based in Bhopal.
Defining the Crisis as an Epidemic
Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. Madhav Hasani explained the rationale behind the epidemic declaration. He stated that an epidemic is confirmed when the number of reported cases of a particular disease significantly exceeds the normal expectancy for a specific area. "We are now treating the outbreak on that scale," Dr. Hasani affirmed. The national teams are now meticulously analyzing local survey data to determine a crucial fact: whether the dangerous contamination originated from a single source or from multiple points across the locality.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Health Measures
The immediate focus of the combined teams is twofold: to stop further spread of the disease and to identify the root cause. The investigation into the water contamination is ongoing, with scientists testing samples and reviewing infrastructure. Public health measures, including sanitation drives and public awareness campaigns about water safety, are being intensified in the affected zone to prevent new infections. The administration has urged residents to cooperate fully with health officials and to use only boiled or certified safe water for all purposes until the all-clear is given.
