Over 50 fall ill in Rajouri village; water samples confirm E. coli contamination

June 11, 2025 by News Desk

Samples collected from sick residents of a remote village near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu Kashmir’s Rajouri district have tested positive for E. coli, a senior doctor said on Tuesday.

Rajouri Chief Medical Officer Manohar Lal Rana said a massive public outreach is underway in the affected Kotli hamlet to make residents aware about water contamination and ways to prevent it.

Over 50 people have reported symptoms of gastroenteritis and diarrhea in the past 10 days in the tribal village, which lacks access to tap water and depends solely on natural sources like wells. Sixteen of them were admitted to Government Medical College, Rajouri, with 14 discharged after successful treatment so far.

“A total of 11 samples of water consumed by locals were collected, and E. coli presence has now been confirmed in these samples,” Dr. Rana said.

E. coli (Escherichia coli) is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. While most strains are harmless, some can cause serious food and waterborne illnesses, leading to stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, kidney failure. Contamination usually occurs through consumption of water or food tainted with fecal matter.

Authorities have advised residents to boil water before consumption and are working on short-term water purification measures. (Inputs from PTI)