SWABI, Aug 7: The district health authorities have sent special teams to Gadoon area to manage a gastroenteritis outbreak.

Most gastroenteritis cases are reported in Takail village, where people have suffered from the inflammation of stomach and intestines after drinking spring water.

It is being feared that the recent rains have contaminated spring water.

A death by the water-borne disease was earlier reported but the relevant officials denied it.

When contacted by Dawn, district health officer Dr Gul Mohammad confirmed the outbreak of gastroenteritis in some parts of Gadoon area but denied that the disease had killed anyone.

He said he discussed the situation caused by the gastroenteritis outbreak and corrective measures with the relevant health officials on Monday night and sent health teams to the affected areas in three ambulances.

“What I know as of now, they checked gastroenteritis patients, gave them medicine and educated them on ways and means to prevent water-borne diseases,” he said.

The DHO said people should drink boiled water, wash hands by soap after using toilet and ensure cleanness at home to prevent gastroenteritis.

He said gastroenteritis was generally caused by use of contaminated food or water, while its sufferers showed symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Meanwhile, locals complained about the supply of contaminated water, which, they said, led to high incidence of stomach diseases in the area.

They said the gastroenteritis outbreak gripped Gadoon area every monsoon, so to contain it, clean water should be supplied to them.