Atleast 19 deaths due to several diseases have occured within two months at Chongkhow village in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh, Education Minister Honchun Ngamdam, said on Monday.
19 people have died between June and August first week, he said, adding the exact reason behind the deaths were yet to be diagnosed.
The victims had shown symptoms of dysentery, fever, headache, jaundice and typhoid, said Ngamdam, who represents the area.
Taking serious note of the reported outbreak, Chief Minister Pema Khandu spoke to Ngandam today to get first hand information on the matter, officials said.
Khandu issued directives to the Health Department to immediately send a medical team headed by state epidemiologist Dr L Jampa to combat the situation, the officials said.
The Chief Minister assured every possible support to the village and directed to evacuate the critical patients to referral hospitals.
Dr Jampa earlier said the department did not have any updates on these deaths during this period but was inquiring in to it.
Wakka Zila Parishad member Matpho Kolong, in a release, said dozens of villagers are suffering from dysentery, fever, headache, jaundice and typhoid.
The CM also alerted the district administration to ensure precautionary measures for containing further spread of the disease.
Sourced from PTI, Featured image courtesy: www.rediff.com
