Indore:
A fresh controversy has emerged in Indore after a man claimed that his 69-year-old relative died of diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water in the city’s Bhagirathpura area, which has already been hit by a severe outbreak of water-borne illness. While the family has linked the death directly to the ongoing crisis, health officials have rejected the claim, asserting that the deceased had pre-existing medical conditions and was admitted to hospital before the outbreak formally began in the locality.

The deceased, Omprakash Sharma, a retired police constable, passed away on Sunday while undergoing treatment for diarrhoea at a private hospital. His kin, Abhishek Sharma, told PTI on Monday that Omprakash had consumed contaminated water during a recent visit to Bhagirathpura, following which his health deteriorated rapidly.

According to Abhishek Sharma, Omprakash was originally a resident of Dhar district and had come to Indore to visit relatives. “He had also gone to Bhagirathpura a few days ago, where he drank water that was contaminated,” he alleged. The family maintains that the consumption of unsafe drinking water triggered the illness that ultimately led to Omprakash’s death.

Abhishek said the first symptoms appeared late on the night of December 30. “He developed severe diarrhoea and vomiting. Due to dehydration, his condition worsened quickly, and he was admitted to the intensive care unit of a local private hospital,” he said. Doctors placed Omprakash on life support, but despite medical intervention, he could not be saved.

However, the district health administration has disputed the family’s account. Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani said Omprakash Sharma was admitted to hospital before the diarrhoea outbreak was reported in Bhagirathpura, which officials have traced to December 29.

“Omprakash Sharma was admitted to the hospital before the vomiting and diarrhoea outbreak began in Bhagirathpura,” Dr Hasani said. He added that the deceased had several pre-existing health issues, including hypertension and kidney disease, which may have complicated his condition and contributed to the fatal outcome.

The CMHO said that after Omprakash’s death, his son contacted him directly. “He will be provided appropriate assistance by the state government. I have sought detailed information about Omprakash from the hospital where he was treated,” Hasani said, indicating that the case was still being reviewed at the administrative level.

Amid rising concern and conflicting claims, health authorities have sought to reassure residents that the situation in Bhagirathpura is under control. Dr Hasani said an intensive health department campaign had been launched in the area to contain the outbreak and prevent further casualties. Measures reportedly include medical screening of residents, distribution of medicines, water quality testing, and awareness drives on hygiene and safe drinking water practices.

While officials insist that the outbreak is being effectively managed, reports of additional serious illnesses have added to public anxiety. A 67-year-old Bhagirathpura resident, identified as Parvati Kondla, reportedly showed symptoms resembling Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare but potentially life-threatening neurological disorder.

An official familiar with the case said Kondla had initially been admitted to another hospital, where doctors, based on preliminary test reports, indicated GBS-like symptoms. “However, when she was thoroughly examined at our hospital, it was found that she is also suffering from a brain stroke. Treatment is being administered based on all symptoms,” the official said.

Kondla is currently in critical condition and battling for her life at a private hospital in Indore. The case has attracted attention because GBS is sometimes associated with infections, including gastrointestinal illnesses, raising fears of a more complex public health crisis linked to the diarrhoea outbreak.

However, the district administration has categorically denied reports suggesting the presence of any confirmed GBS cases in Bhagirathpura. “We have not received information about any Guillain-Barré Syndrome patient from any local hospital or doctor,” CMHO Hasani said, rejecting media reports to the contrary.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a rare but serious condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system. It can cause sudden numbness, muscle weakness, and in severe cases, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, sometimes requiring ventilator support.

The diarrhoea outbreak in Bhagirathpura has already taken a heavy toll, though the exact number of deaths remains disputed. The district administration has officially confirmed six deaths linked to the outbreak so far. However, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava has stated that the death toll stands at ten, while local residents have claimed that as many as 16 people, including a six-month-old child, have died after falling ill.

These conflicting figures have further fuelled public anger and mistrust, with residents alleging underreporting of fatalities and delays in response by civic authorities. Locals have also raised concerns about the quality of drinking water supply in the area, alleging that contamination may have occurred due to damaged pipelines, leakage, or mixing of sewage with potable water.

Municipal and health officials have said that water samples from the affected locality are being tested and that corrective measures have been taken to prevent further contamination. Temporary arrangements for safe drinking water supply have also reportedly been put in place.

As investigations continue, the death of Omprakash Sharma has become a flashpoint in the wider debate over accountability, transparency, and public health preparedness in Indore. While the administration maintains that his death cannot be directly linked to the Bhagirathpura outbreak, the family insists that contaminated water was the root cause of his illness.

With multiple deaths, serious illnesses, and conflicting claims from authorities and locals, pressure is mounting on the administration to provide clear answers, ensure accurate reporting, and take long-term measures to prevent such outbreaks in the future. For now, Bhagirathpura remains under close surveillance as officials attempt to restore public confidence and contain the fallout from one of the city’s most serious recent public health crises.