Mumbai getting sick to the stomach

Figures released by the civic body reveal 20 per cent year-on-year increase in gastroenteritis cases

IF the numbers rattled out by the civic body are anything to go by, then all is not well with Mumbai's belly.

The statistics revealed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) suggest there were nearly 1,000 more cases of gastroenteritis in the city between January and April this year, compared to last year.

"Overall, there were 5,000 cases of gastroenteritis between January and April, whereas last year it was 4,142 in the same period," said Girish Ambe, executive health officer, BMC. "This means there has been an increase by more than 20 per cent.

City doctors attribute the spurt in the number of cases to contaminated water and food.
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"Even in private hospitals we see that the number of people suffering from gastroenteritis is actually increasing," said Dr Pradip Shah, general physician at Fortis Hospital.

"A woman who had consumed a small quantity of food from a roadside stall was soon down with gastroenteritis. She had to egest some 25 to 30 times a day."

Shah said people were not aware of what caused the stomach ailment.u00a0 "Uncovered food on the street is susceptible to germs owing to high temperature and humidity. So, the human body finds it difficult to digest anything that was kept for more than four hours."

Shah said food should be kept in the refrigerator and heated properly before eating. "This is the only way to prevent the infection. Also, roadside food and ice golas is a total no-no," said Shah.

Dr Pratit Samdani, consultant physician at Jaslok and Breach Candy, said the problem had more to do with contaminated water. "For sure, the water consumed by the people must be contaminated. There must be some problem with the water that is being supplied," said Samdani.

'Boil water'
"So the best precaution is to boil water for 20 minutes before drinking. This is a foolproof way of killing germs."
Samdani said extreme cases of gastroenteritis could cause "renal failure, dehydration and even death."

Dr HG Desai, gastroenterologist at Jaslok Hospital, said that the disease could only be avoided by taking apposite measures. "Food should be cooked properly and drinking water boiled," he said.

Number game
Though the number of gastrointestinal cases has gone up, according to BMC figures, the number of cases of jaundice and typhoid has been on the descent.

The number of cases of jaundice between January and April 2010 was 1,489, whereas this year during the same period it is 1,291.
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At least 421 cases of typhoid were reported last year during its first half, whereas this year it is 289 so far.

Despite the figures, Samdani was sceptical and said jaundice too was a cause of worry. "We see so many patients everyday.
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Even in private hospitals the number of gastroenteritis and jaundice patients has gone up but typhoid has gone down. I see some 15 to 20 patients everyday."

Dr Shah said that gastroenteritis could be caused by a variety of germs. "And this is why gastroenteritis is so common," he said.u00a0