THENI: The death of Pavithra, a 10-year-old girl, who was under treatment for diarrhoea at the Uthamapalayam Government Hospital, on Wednesday has caused panic among Theni residents.
A number of people with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting from Uthamapalayam, Cumbum and Bodi are being treated in government and private hospitals.
Hariharan (11) of Cumbum, Gnanapushpam (54), Chandrakala (25), Sumaya Begaum (26) and Reena (18) of Uthamapalayam, and ma- ny from Bodi have been admitted to the Theni Government Medical College Hospital in a serious condition.
Collector P Muthuveeran, who visited the hospital on Wednesday, told reporters that 60 people at Uthamapalayam town panchayat were reportedly suffering from diarrhoea. Of this, 37 have been admitted, while 23 were treated as outpatients.
He appealed to all local bodies to ensure that the water is chlorinated. He also ordered immediate cleaning of all the overhead tanks. Action was being taken to drain out stagnant water in villages and towns, he said.