Ctg diarrhoea outbreak caused by Wasa water | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Food
    • Habitat
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • TBS Graduates
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Tech
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
November 29, 2023

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Food
    • Habitat
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • TBS Graduates
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Tech
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2023
Ctg diarrhoea outbreak caused by Wasa water

Health

TBS Report
15 September, 2022, 10:10 pm
Last modified: 15 September, 2022, 10:15 pm

Related News

  • Ctg Wasa plans $300m project to modernise port city's water supply
  • Diarrhoea outbreak: 81 hospitalised in flood-hit Ctg in 24 hrs 
  • Chattogram Wasa MD Fazlullah's term extended for 8th time
  • Diarrhoea, dengue, fever surge in Ctg due to heatwave
  • Mercantile Bank, Chattogram Wasa join hands to facilitate online billing services

Ctg diarrhoea outbreak caused by Wasa water

A government study finds 80% of Ctg diarrhoea patients drank Wasa water

TBS Report
15 September, 2022, 10:10 pm
Last modified: 15 September, 2022, 10:15 pm
Photo: Collected
Photo: Collected

Highlights:

  • Residents in coastal areas of Chattogram avoid deep tube well water due to high salinity and presence of iron
  • Most people drink Wasa water and 64% of them do so without any purification
  • Coastal areas often get submerged by tidal water which contaminates Wasa water
  • 898 diarrhoea patients were admitted to hospital in August  

The water supplied by the Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) was the main source of drinking water for about 80% of diarrhoea patients in coastal Halishahar, EPZ and Patenga areas of Chattogram city, according to a government study.

The investigative study, conducted by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), found that even though there are deep tube wells in the outbreak areas, most residents use that water for other domestic purposes, but not for drinking due to high salinity and the presence of iron.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

They mainly drink water supplied by Chattogram Wasa and around 64% of them do so without following any water purification process, the study found.

Following the investigation, the IEDCR team emphasised strengthening the government's health education programme on awareness to prevent and control diarrhoea outbreaks as well as making the water supply system safer in the city corporation area.

The IEDCR recently sent the study report, signed by its Director Tahmina Shirin, to the Chittagong district civil surgeon and the mayor of Chittagong City Corporation, requesting them to take necessary measures to deal with the situation.

Many parts of wards 38, 39 and 40 in the city are often submerged in tidal water, which can make the supply water totally unsafe if there is any defect in Wasa's water supply lines, the report mentioned.

Moreover, a lack of cleanliness has been observed in many parts of these wards, it stated.

A diarrhoea outbreak has occurred in these three wards of the port city and other adjoining areas since last July. On 19-25 August, a seven-member delegation of the IEDCR visited these areas and carried out the field investigation.

The report also mentioned that a total of 898 diarrhoea patients were admitted to the Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID) in August. Besides, 131 more diarrhoea patients were identified by the investigation team at the community level. 

In its analysis of data relating to patients admitted to BITID and those identified at the community level, the team found that the outbreak started in different areas at the beginning of the second week of August and the maximum number of patients were affected around 15 August. 

Some 190 patients were interviewed in detail during the course of the investigation. Of them, 66 people were residents of Ward 38, 64 were residents of Ward 39 and 22 of Ward 40. 

The average age of the affected patients is around 22 years. As many as 48% of them are women while 52% are men. Around 27% of the victims are garment factory workers.

The report identified four causes of diarrheal outbreaks: a lack of safe drinking water, drinking water without purification, a lack of sanitation and contamination of water reservoirs (tanks and others) with microbes.

Chittagong District Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammed Elias Chowdhury told The Business Standard, "The report mentioned the investigation into the sudden increase in the number of diarrheal patients. It identified the source and the pathogen associated with the outbreak and recommended measures to contain and prevent it. Necessary measures are being taken in this regard."

However, AKM Fazlullah, managing director of Chattogram Wasa, claimed that Wasa water is safe. 

"Wasa water can be drunk directly. We regularly test the water and maintain ideal levels of chlorine for water purification. However, if the water tank is not cleaned regularly, there may be germs and insects. The residents are responsible for that," he added.

Bangladesh / Top News

Diarrhoea / Chattogram Wasa

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Taka appreciated officially, market reacts quite opposite
    Taka appreciated officially, market reacts quite opposite
  • Only approved appraisers to assess loan collateral: Cenbank 
    Only approved appraisers to assess loan collateral: Cenbank 
  • A truck burnt in Narayanganj on 28 November 2023. Photo: Collected
    Moving truck set on fire in Sonargaon, helper burnt

MOST VIEWED

  • Tax return time extension likely
    Tax return time extension likely
  •  File photo of a North Korean flag. REUTERS
    North Korea shuts down its embassy in Bangladesh
  • 12 expressways outlined for wider connectivity by 2041
    12 expressways outlined for wider connectivity by 2041
  • Photo: TBS
    Ctg city enters ‘Smart School Bus’ era
  • The architectural design of Anukrom is a triumph of purpose and ingenuity – a rectangular structure that stretches east to west, crafting out two courtyards. Photo: Shakil Hai
    Anukrom: A mother’s dream, a son’s guilt and an award-winning home
  • Bajaj Pulsar 250cc. Photo: Bajaj's official website
    Bajaj Pulsar N250: First higher cc motorcycle launched at Tk3.4 lakh

Related News

  • Ctg Wasa plans $300m project to modernise port city's water supply
  • Diarrhoea outbreak: 81 hospitalised in flood-hit Ctg in 24 hrs 
  • Chattogram Wasa MD Fazlullah's term extended for 8th time
  • Diarrhoea, dengue, fever surge in Ctg due to heatwave
  • Mercantile Bank, Chattogram Wasa join hands to facilitate online billing services

Features

Disadvantaged groups are more exposed to climate effects and less able to recover from damages. A Bangladeshi family travels to a safer location as water enters new areas after the cyclone Aila hit Bangladesh in 2009. Photo: Abir Abdullah

Climate and inequality entwinement imperils us all

2h | Panorama
A lesson on living the moment: 20 years of Kal Ho Naa Ho

A lesson on living the moment: 20 years of Kal Ho Naa Ho

18h | Features
In Barishal’s case, the low-cost of travel via waterways encourages people to migrate to Dhaka and other cities, like Chattogram. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

Why nearly a-fifth of people from Barishal moved to Dhaka

18h | Panorama
Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed/TBS

Political unrest hampers admission prep for HSC 2023 intake

20h | Education

More Videos from TBS

Pakistan may lose its opportunity to host the Champions Trophy in 2025

Pakistan may lose its opportunity to host the Champions Trophy in 2025

13h | TBS SPORTS
Climate AI will predict crop yields

Climate AI will predict crop yields

12h | TBS Science
NZ to scrap ‘generational smoking ban’

NZ to scrap ‘generational smoking ban’

15h | TBS World
Musk in Israel to get back advertising!

Musk in Israel to get back advertising!

17h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2023
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net