Department of Community Medicine, M.N.R Medical College, Sangareddy, Andhra Pradesh, India
Online published on 27 May, 2015.
An outbreak of gastro-enteritis occurred at Dubbaka village, Nizamabad District, Andhra Pradesh State, India.
To investigate the gastro-enteritis out-break; identify the agent, source, mode of disease transmission and recommend control measures.
Cross-sectional study
An outbreak investigation was carried out at Dubbaka village, Nizamabad District, Andhra Pradesh state, India during 16th to 23rd October 2010. Pre-tested, Pre-designed epidemiological case sheets were used. Ten stool and water samples were collected for laboratory analysis.
Chi-square test
Out of 3051 population, 471 cases were identified. Over-all attack rate was 15.43%, higher among above 14 yrs (20.32%) of age than in below 14yrs (8.1%), higher in females (16.17%) than in males (14.75%). The samples of stools and drinking water were positive for Escherichia coli.
The present out-break was caused by contamination of drinking water. The quality of drinking water should be improved using locally available appropriate technology and resources. Solar water disinfection is a low cost method of purifying water that can often be implemented with locally available materials.
Gastro-enteritis, Out-break, Attack- rate
