An outbreak of diarrhea has impacted 27 individuals, with two in critical condition, in a village within Thailand’s Khon Kaen province. Suspected to stem from water system contamination, officials have gathered samples for further investigation. Chanachai Sorosriwichai, the deputy governor of Khon Kaen, Krung Namsanga, the district chief of Waeng Yai, alongside public health experts and local authorities, conducted an inspection of Sok Pai village’s water system in the Mai Na Phiang subdistrict of Waeng Yai district in Khon Kaen province on November 24.
This examination followed reports from the village leader and Waeng Yai Hospital regarding the diarrhea outbreak affecting mainly children and the elderly in Sok Pai. Data collected from November 19 to 24 revealed similar symptoms among villagers. Initially thought to be foodborne, a more probable cause emerged upon closer scrutiny: contamination of the water system with chicken manure used by farmers in cassava and sugarcane fields. This manure washed into the raw water pit supplying the village’s water.
Further exacerbating the situation, the village’s water supply had not undergone chlorination for more than two years. Presently, medical professionals have treated and diagnosed the affected villagers. Two critically ill patients were transferred to Khon Kaen Hospital, three are receiving care at Waeng Yai Hospital, and 22 have been discharged for recovery at home. Samples have been gathered for additional analysis, with results anticipated within a week.
As an immediate response, Waeng Yai Hospital introduced chlorine into the village’s water system to eliminate disease-causing agents. They’ve flushed out the old water to prevent residual toxins and supplemented the system with clean water from the regional supply for three consecutive days. Residents were cautioned to boil tap water before use. Health officials continue to screen the remaining villagers for any unusual symptoms, ensuring prompt medical attention if needed.
