Indore water contamination: 38 new diarrhoea cases detected, 110 in hospital; death toll 7

At least 38 new cases of vomiting and diarrhea linked to contaminated drinking water were detected at Bhagirathpura primary health center in Indore on Monday, January 5, 2026, taking the death toll to seven so far, a senior official said.

Officials said six patients were referred for treatment and 110 people are currently being treated in hospitals, including 15 in intensive care.

Indore District Commissioner Sudam Khade said: PTI According to the Ministry of Health, seven deaths have been reported on the phone so far.

By the previous day, authorities were reporting six deaths linked to water pollution. However, local people claimed that 17 people died due to the epidemic.

On Monday, January 5, the health department conducted a real-time household survey using the Kobo tool in the affected Bhagirathpura district to assess the situation and ensure the availability of chlorinated drinking water to residents.

The survey was conducted by the Central government’s regional health director, Dr. It took place after the Kobo vehicle training given by Chandrashekhar Gedam in coordination with the district administration. The tool allows real-time assessment of field conditions, officials said.

Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. Around 200 teams have been deployed in the region under the management of Madhav Prasad Hasani. Each team visited pre-marked houses and conducted surveys.

According to the official statement, the teams distributed 10 ORS packs, 30 zinc tablets and a Clean Water dropper to each house.

Residents were advised to add 8 to 10 drops of clean water solution to 10 liters of water and use it for purification after an hour.

Health teams counseled residents and shared toll-free helpline numbers. They emphasized completing medication doses, boiling drinking water, and demonstrated proper hand washing methods.

Each team consisted of a doctor, a nursing officer, a community health worker, an ASHA worker and an ANO. It was stated that the teams reached approximately 14,000 people, covering 2,745 households throughout the day, and carried out IEC activities as well as kit distribution and consultancy.

The main goal is to ensure access to chlorinated, germ-free drinking water in the affected area, officials said.

On the instructions of district collector Shivam Verma, five ambulances were deployed in the area and doctors were deployed around the clock.

While the patients are referred to MY Hospital and Aurobindo Hospital, the affected children are referred to Chacha Nehru Hospital. In the statement, it was stated that treatment, examination and medicines will be provided free of charge to patients applying to private hospitals.