According to doctors, water-borne ailments such as typhoid and hepatitis E are on the rise this summer.
In April, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) found that 29% of the water samples collected by it for testing was unfit for drinking. And now, while the civic body has started a major drive to take action against roadside food vendors, it has also requested Mumbaikars to be cautious about eating out.
Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, BMC, said: "We had collected water samples from across the city and found that 29% of the same was unfit for human consumption. Taking the help of ward officers, we have been cracking the whip on roadside food vendors and sherbet sellers."
According to doctors, water-borne ailments such as typhoid and hepatitis E are on the rise this summer.
Dr Hemant Thakkar, general physician, Breach Candy Hospital, said: "Yes, this is a serious problem. Almost 20 to 25 patients come in with stomach infections everyday, generally from the young and middle age groups."
Doctors said that most of the victims of water-borne diseases are in the age group of 30 to 50 years. Dr Anil Ballani, a general physician from Lilavati hospital, said: "Such stomach infections are being witnessed excessively these days because of people consuming food from roadside stalls, cooked in exposed conditions. Also, the present shortage of water has led to people consuming water from tanks or storing water for many days and then drinking it, which has led to an increase of such stomach infections."
Ballani added that the majority of patients seen by him came with complaints about vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, loose motion, which lasts for about 15-20 days, low blood pressure, kidney damage and food poisoning.
"I diagnose four to five patients everyday with severe gastroenteritis. We diagnose the patients with IV fluids and antibiotics, which help cure their illness. The patients are usually hospitalised for about two to three days. But in severe cases, it takes at least a week for a patient to recover," he said.
Doctors also blame roadside coolers as the main reason behind the sudden rise in gastroenteritis cases this summer. "Because of the scarcity of water and rising temperature levels, many people seek out quick solutions to quench their thirst, generally from roadside stalls. This is also a reason behind stomach infections," Thakkar said.
A few dos and don'ts
Self/kitchen hygiene helps curb stomach infection cases.
Avoid eating salads and fruit plates outside, whether it is from a street vendor or 5-star hotel. Salads and fruit plates are notorious for stomach infections.
Avoid drinking water from outside. Carry your own drinking water bottle. Boil water before drinking it.
Avoid water-based food products like sauces, fruit juices or a chutney.
Avoid road-side coolers such as a sherbet, milkshake and gola, especially the ice.
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