Khon Kaen: Diarrhoea outbreak in village linked to contaminated water system

A diarrhoea outbreak has affected 27 residents, two of whom are critically ill, in a village in the Khon Kaen province of Thailand.

Suspected to be caused by contamination in the local water system, medical professionals have collected samples for further investigation.

Chanachai Sorosriwichai, the deputy governor of Khon Kaen, Krung Namsanga, the district chief of Waeng Yai, along with public health officials and local government organisations, yesterday (November 24) inspected the water system in the village of Sok Pai, in the Mai Na Phiang subdistrict of Waeng Yai district in Khon Kaen province.

The inspection was initiated following reports from the village head and Waeng Yai Hospital about a diarrhoea outbreak in the village, affecting 27 residents, mostly children and elderly. The data collected from November 19 to 24 showed that villagers from Sok Pai had been treated for similar symptoms.

Initially, it was suspected that the illness was foodborne. However, upon detailed examination, the contamination of the village water system with chicken manure seemed more likely. Farmers had been using the manure in their cassava and sugarcane fields, which was then washed off into the raw water pit used for the village’s water supply.

Compounding the issue, the village’s water supply had not been chlorinated for over two years. Currently, doctors have treated and diagnosed the sick villagers. Two critically ill villagers have been transferred to Khon Kaen Hospital, three are receiving treatment at Waeng Yai Hospital, and 22 have been discharged to recover at home. Medical samples have been collected for further investigation, with results expected within seven days, reported KhaoSod.

As an initial response, Waeng Yai Hospital added chlorine to the village water system to kill disease-causing organisms. The old water in the system has been flushed out to prevent residual toxins. In addition, clean water from the regional water supply has been added to the village water system for three consecutive days. Residents have been warned to boil all tap water before consumption.

Public health officials are screening the remaining villagers for abnormal symptoms. If any are found, immediate medical treatment is given.