The situation has been under close watch by the Cortalim Primary Health Centre (PHC), with medical teams deployed at the site since early this week.
Speaking to reporters at the residential complex on Saturday, a medical officer from PHC Cortalim said that surveillance has been intensified since the issue first came to light last week.
“We received a call regarding the situation last week, following which our teams were stationed at the complex. Since Monday, our staff has been visiting daily, recording cases and administering medicines, including ORS. We are also closely examining patients who return for follow-up visits or show delayed recovery,” the doctor said.
Providing an update on the numbers, the official stated that the total count of diarrhoea cases has reached 156, with two new cases reported on Saturday involving symptoms such as loose motions and vomiting. “Till Friday, we had recorded 156 cases presenting with symptoms like loose motions, fever and weakness. Today, two additional cases have been identified, taking the total to 158. We continue to monitor all patients and ensure timely treatment,” the doctor said.
Health authorities have also initiated sample testing as part of standard outbreak response protocols. Teams from the Directorate of Health Services have collected stool samples from affected individuals to determine the cause of the illness.
“As per protocol during such outbreaks, we collect stool samples for laboratory testing. In one case involving a child, the culture has indicated typhoid. We examined the child this morning; she no longer has loose motions and her fever has subsided after being started on antibiotics. She has been advised to return on Monday for further evaluation and continues to receive ORS. At present, there are no signs of dehydration,” the doctor said.
The official further noted that another suspected case had initially tested positive for typhoid at a private hospital, though the result is yet to be confirmed through standard testing procedures.
“In another instance, a patient tested positive at a private facility, but that is not a confirmatory result. Both patients have been advised to undergo blood tests through our facility to conclusively establish whether they are affected by typhoid,” the doctor added.
Health officials have urged residents to maintain strict hygiene, consume only safe drinking water and report symptoms at the earliest, as efforts continue to contain the spread and identify the source of contamination.
