November 13, 2025 | Aizawl

Authorities in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district have invoked the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, after six people died of suspected gastroenteritis in the remote border village of Kakichhuah, located near the Indo-Myanmar border, over the past 10 days.

District Deputy Commissioner Donny Lalruatsanga, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), issued an order on Wednesday declaring Kakichhuah a containment zone and temporarily sealing the entry point between Salachhuah in Myanmar and Kakichhuah.

“Kakichhuah village is declared a containment area for one week. Movement of people in and out of the village, except for medical teams, election duty officials, and persons on emergency duties, is banned,” the DC’s order stated.

Outbreak and Response

According to officials, 27 villagers have fallen ill with symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. Samples from patients and water sources have been sent to Zoram Medical College & Hospital (ZMC&H) in Falkawn, near Aizawl, for testing.

A medical team led by Dr. C. Lalzampuii visited the area on Tuesday to assess the situation and collect samples. The team identified the village’s traditional spring water source as a likely cause of contamination.

“We have sent the water and stool samples to Aizawl for analysis to determine the cause of the outbreak,” said Dr. Lalmuanawma Jongte, the Lawngtlai district CMO.

Victims and Community Impact

The first fatality was reported on November 4, when an elderly resident, Lawmla, succumbed to the illness. Since then, five more deaths have occurred, including a 14-year-old boy named Chawlithaw, who died on Wednesday morning.

The victims belonged to the Khumi community, refugees originally from Myanmar’s southern Chin and Rakhine states. Kakichhuah, located about 142 km from Lawngtlai town, has roughly 130 households and is among Mizoram’s most remote villages.

Local NGO Young Lai Association reported that the symptoms pointed to a severe gastroenteritis outbreak, possibly caused by contaminated drinking water.

Containment and Monitoring

Health teams from Lawngtlai and neighbouring Siaha districts are maintaining strict surveillance in the affected area. The state health department is awaiting laboratory results from ZMC&H to confirm the nature and source of the outbreak.

Officials have urged villagers to boil water before drinking and to maintain strict hygiene practices until the investigation concludes.

The district administration is also coordinating with Myanmar’s local authorities to monitor cross-border movement and ensure the outbreak remains contained.