Contaminated Drinking Water Triggers Illness in Ganderbal’s Urpash, 20 Residents Hospitalized

Ganderbal: At least 20 residents of Urpash area in Ganderbal were admitted to the District Hospital after developing fever, reportedly due to consumption of contaminated drinking water. Among the affected were 15 children and 5 adults. Hospital officials confirmed that 15 patients have been discharged following treatment, while 5—including 3 children and 2 adults—are still under medical care.
Locals reported that several individuals began showing symptoms such as fever and infection, prompting them to seek treatment. Fareed Ahmad, a resident of Urpash, stated, “My two kids have been admitted with typhoid. Many others from the area are also undergoing treatment. The drinking water supplied here is contaminated and overall conditions remain unhygienic. We urge the administration to intervene immediately.”
District Health Officer Dr. Nighat attributed the outbreak to seasonal changes, recent floods, and poor hygiene. “Samples have been collected from the area, and reports suggest enteric fever, a water-borne and food-borne disease,” she said.
Dr. Nighat advised residents to boil water before drinking and to avoid consuming ice creams or other unhygienic food items that could trigger such infections. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and taking steps to ensure safe drinking water.