E coli found in illegal drinking water cans behind Karnataka diarrhoea outbreak

Chikkaballapur, Karnataka: An outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea in Karnataka's Chikkatekahalli village in Chikkaballapur district has been traced to E. coli-contaminated drinking water supplied through illegally sold 20-litre cans, district authorities said on Sunday.

According to the district administration, an investigation found that the contaminated water was being distributed without authorisation. The water had been sourced from a private purification unit whose operating licence had already expired.

Following the probe, officials sealed the water purification unit and its storage tanks, while supply from the source was immediately stopped.

Authorities clarified that laboratory tests on drinking water supplied under the government's Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) found no chemical or biological contamination, ruling out the scheme as the source of the outbreak.

Police have registered cases against the illegal water supplier as well as the owner of the purification unit for their alleged role in the incident.

Meanwhile, a temporary health camp has been established in Chikkatekahalli village, where medical teams are monitoring residents for symptoms. The district administration said the situation is now under control.

Officials have also appealed to residents to buy drinking water only from authorised suppliers and to immediately report any unlicensed water vendors to the authorities.