By Naysa Shrivastava
The rising cases of Guillain- Barre Syndrome and the discovery of eight water sources containing E.Coli bacteria could help in tracing the root cause of environmental disturbance. E.coli bacteria is the result of fecal contamination. As per the guidelines of World Health Organization, this bacteria indicates the presence of Campylobacter jejuni pathogen.Till now 101 water samples have been collected from different areas of the city and sent for biological and chemical analysis.
“Out of these, eight samples have tested positive for bacterial infection. Four of them belong to GBS infected localities of Pune, while three are from Pimpri Chinchwad.” A senior official from the state health department gave this statement to Times of India. One of the samples was from Khadakwasla Dam and the officials said that this was meant to happen because the water of the dam has not been purified or treated.
The major threat is the other infected source that involves the main tank which supplies water to DSK Vishwa complex. This area is very much affected by the GBS outbreak. “ During the survey the contamination was seen in the tap water at Nisarg Society and Nanded phata in the same area. Three infected public taps in Vastu Udyog Colony, borewell in Sahyog Nagar, Pimpri and other tap waters in the same localities have been found in PCMC. Authorities have begun chlorine treatment of water in these areas to control the casualties.” Official said.
Manager of Water Management System at DSK Vishwa, Sachin Pangare said, “ Our treatment is working partly and that is why some societies got treated and purified water but some didn’t. Many tenants have a water purifier but many of them don’t.We are not able to continue with the facility properly because people are not ready to pay for the repairs.” They are trying their best to provide the facility to everyone.